The University of Ibadan International School has reopened to academic activities on Monday, November 26, after a week of closure due to the hijab controversy.

Last Monday, the school was shut down after a mild crisis over the use of Hijab by some female Muslim students erupted, leading to protest by some parents, who insisted that the use of Hijab is a constitutional right of their female children.

Though, the school insisted on maintaining its dress code, the insistence by the protesting parents made the management of the school to shut the school in order to forestall breakdown of law and order.

The chairman of the school’s board and deputy vice-chancellor of the parent University of Ibadan, Abideen Aderinto, said the status quo regarding dress code for the pupils would be maintained, despite the agitation from Muslim parents who want their kids to wear hijab to school.

Earlier today, parents received a text message from the school management informing them of the reopening of the school on Monday.

“This is to inform all students, staff and parents that ISI, UI will reopen on Monday, 26/11/2018 to continue the first term (2018/2019) session,” it reads:

Similarly, Aderinto, who revealed that the school has been reopened, in a statement on Monday, maintained that the decision and outcome of the November 14 meeting of the Board of Governors of the School, should be respected by all, in the interest of the students and progress of the school.

He 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”.