The University of Ibadan International School has been reopened.
The school, which had witnessed mild crisis over the use of Hijab by some female Muslim students was shut last Monday when the Muslim parents insisted that the use of Hijab is a constitutional right of their female children. This insistence made the management of the school to shut the school in order to forestall breakdown of law and order.
A visit to the school situated between Idia Hall and Baptist High School, University of Ibadan by DAILY POST correspondent on Monday confirmed that the school has been finally reopened.
Journalists, who visited the school on Monday, observed that security men from the University of Ibadan security division have been stationed at the entrance leading to the main gate of the school to maintain law and order.
Parents, who were seen bringing their wards in batches, were however not allowed to enter the school premises. They were asked to park their cars and allow their children to enter the school by themselves.
However, all efforts made by DAILY POST correspondent and other journalists who were in the school to monitor the reopening and know whether normal academic activities have commenced fully in the school proved abortive as they were prevented from gaining access to the school premises.
A security man at the gate of the school, whose name tag read: Jegede, explained after the journalists introduced themselves, that the order given to him was that no journalist should be allowed. Jegede said, “We were ordered not to allow any parent, press men or journalists. It is order from the above”.
Principal of the school, Mrs. Phebean Olowe also declined comments when the journalists who were at the school gate called her.
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) University of Ibadan, Professor Yinka Aderinto, who doubles as chairman of the school board, in a statement obtained by OYO INSIGHT on Monday, maintained that the decision and outcome of the November 14, 2018, meeting of the Board of Governors of the school should be respected by all in the interest of the children and progress of the school.
Aderinto who issued the statement on behalf of UI expanded management, added that individuals or groups that may seek a change in the dress code should follow the due process of requesting for such but the final decision on any such change still lies with the Board of Governors.
The DVC, in the statement entitled “Resolutions of the meeting of the expanded management of the University of Ibadan held on FRIDAY, November 23, 2018 on the ISI Hijab crisis”, said, “A meeting of the Expanded Management of the University of Ibadan was held on Friday, November 23, 2018, at 5pm.
“The meeting was presided over by the Vice Chancellor of the University and was called to discuss the lingering religious crisis affecting the International School of the University. The meeting was attended by Principal Officers of the University, Deans, Directors of Academic Units and Council members. The Principal of the International School, and her three Vice Principals were also present at the meeting. “After consideration of all that had happened since the crisis started on November 12, 2018, including efforts at resolving the crisis, the meeting resolved as follows: There is a need to take a dispassionate look at the rules and regulations governing not only dress code but general conduct of students in the International School, Ibadan. Such perspective will enable a deeper understanding of the principles underlying the establishment of those rules.
“The International School is a private school and is guided by its own policies, rules and regulations. The meeting also noted that there is a subsisting court judgement that has affirmed the private status of the school.
“Following from the above, the meeting decided that: The decision and outcome of the November 14, 2018, meeting of the Board of Governors of the School should be respected by all in the interest of the children and progress of the school.
“The status quo as regards students’ dress code as contained in the school rules and regulations should be maintained. Individuals or groups that may seek a change in the dress code, or any other aspect of the rules of the school should follow the due process of requesting for such but the final decision on any such change still lies with the Board of Governors.
“Adequate measures should be put in place to forestall breakdown of law and order in the school. The Board of Governors be advised to reopen the school for academic activities on Monday, November 26, 2018.”
