A task force believed to be from Kwara State Government, on Friday, forced open some of the grant-aided mission schools that refused to reopen after it’s pronouncement on reopening following controversy over ownership tussle between founding Christian missions and government.
Eye witness at some of the schools saw the officials use saw and bolt cutters hired from local welder to cut the chains and locks on the gates.
The cutting was done with the presence of armed security men and officials of the state Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM).
The two schools opened were St. Anthony’s Secondary School, Offa road and C & S College, Sabo Oke.
The cutting at St. Anthony’s Secondary school met little resistance from church members but at C & S College, the church members came out in protest.
10 schools were earlier closed down by the government on Feb. 19, over controversy on the ownership status of the school resulted in clash over use of hijab in the schools.
The State Government had directed resumption on March 8, allowing the use of Hijab by willing female students after meeting with stakeholders, but rescinded the decision for safety reasons.
In furtherance, the government announced reopening of the schools on March 17, but was met with resistance by some Christian faithful, thus the controversy.
This led to violence in some of the schools on Wednesday, which took the intervention of security personnel to control.
However, two days after government’s pronouncement on resumption, the schools remained locked with the exception of ECWA Secondary School, Oja Iya,
This made the state TESCOM to direct all principals, teachers and staff to resume on Friday or face sanctions.
An earlier visit to St Anthony’s Secondary School, Bishop Smith Memorial College, and C &S College on Friday morning, they were under lock and key with principals, teachers and staff loitering around, unable to enter.
Vice Principal Admin, C & S College, Mrs Yemi Adedayo, said the gateman said he doesn’t know who locked the gate.
”When I got here this morning, the gate is firmly locked but the staff are all around according to directive from the government,” the vice principal said.
A teacher at St Anthony’s Secondary school, Mr Yunus Abdulrazaq said he also came to obey the directive from the state government.