For four days running, tension continues to mount in Iwo, Osun state as situation at Baptist High School, Iwo remain explosive as they remain divided on religious lines.
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
It should be noted that under the present tussle lies a history of struggle for dominance by two predominant religions in the town – Islam and Christianity.
Iwo is well known for Arabic/Islamic education with several Arabic schools (Modrassah) established to foster the Muslim faith. Notable among them are Islahudeen Arabic School, Obatedo, founded by late Sheikh Abdulbaaqi Muhammad in the early 60s. Amin Trining Center established by late Sheikh Badrudeen Al-Amin in the 50s. Shariah College of Nigeria, which used to be in Ibadan before it was relocated to its permanent site at Oke-Afo, Iwo. Ansar-U-deen Primary School, Ansar-U-Deen Modern School which is now Ansa-U-deen Grammar School, and Anwar-ul-Islam Grammar School.
Among the major private ones are Islamic Model College, Muslim International School.
Also, Christian schools, predominantly Missionary based and mostly Baptists have a strong presence in the town. In the course of spreading Christianity, each Baptist Church branch in the central city established a primary school of own correspondingly named after the branch: Aipate Baptist Day School, Olukotu Baptist Day School, Feesu Baptist Day School, Oke-Odo Baptist Day School.
The Baptists also established secondary schools among which are Baptist High school, Iwo, Baptist Modern school (now obsolete in Nigeria educational system) which now metamorphosed to Baptist Grammar, these in addition to the old Baptist Teacher Training College, one of the oldest of such in Africa and main source of teachers to Nigerian and other African countries. The College is now the site of Bowen University, the secular Baptist University, and the only University in Iwo environs
The Baptists were followed by the Methodist who had a Methodist Primary School in the city, as well a Modern school, now United Methodist High School. The Catholics had a Modern School, now Catholic Grammar School, and a Female Secondary School, St. Mary High School which is now co-educational
Government later joined the missionaries in establishing many primary schools, a Modern School, Local authority Modern School, now Local Authority Commercial Grammar School, a Teacher Training College, LATCO, later changed in 1964 to Iwo Grammar School.
Also, many primary schools were established in satellite towns by the former Western Regional Government as well as secondary schools during the period of Chief Bola Ige as the governor of the old Oyo state.
It should be noted that at one point in the history of the state, all schools were taken over by the state and none, though still bears the same name, and still align themselves with their former owners, is presently owned by their former owners.
The decadence in the education sector however prompted the present government to critically look into and rearrange what is left of the sector.
Starting from the current academic session, the school calendar was detached from the federal 6-3-3-4 system with a 4-5-3 system, meaning that pupils will spend their first four years in primary, next five years in middle schools and last three years higher schools.
Part of the “reclassification” also includes the merger of public and missionary schools, which ensures that all schools in Osun will be co-educational, and only one colour of uniform is worn in all schools throughout the state.
The mono-uniform for all schools in the state, Governor Aregbesola argued, will counter the pride and distinction that differentiated uniforms and the unique academic traditions impose on the psyche of students.
Although dissatisfaction from opposing sides have been flying, Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy of the All Progressives Congress in Osun state, Barrister Kunle Oyatomi said “This government will not go back on the policy that is well intended to nurture and programme our children to a better future, to actually improve on their standard, which was so low and appalling before this government came in.
“The government sat down and did education summit, which was headed by Professor Wole Soyinka and the outcome of this summit is what we are implementing now: from the structure of the school to the content and appearance of our children.
“This is the entire thing not just looking at the uniform, to differentiate Osun State students; students in the state from other students, or from privately owned schools and government schools. The uniform will also differ from elementary to middle school and high schools, and to further get this thing done without tasking parents, there is a garment factory that has been established where you can go to and replace the uniform of your ward.”
Irrespective of sides, discontents is flying round. Below are some comments from the social media- facebook.
Gbolahan Oluwatosin Ayeni: To me, I strongly believe that Baptist high school is a place of learning, not a religion center and it has a dress code if I’m not mistaken? And if there's anyone want to practice any religion studies, let them go to either a Quaranic, Bible or Traditional schools.So therefore, if u say the Muslims should come to school with hijab, it means d Christians too must come with their choir gown and the idol worshipers with their masquerade clothes as well - Isn't it?
Nobody is above d Law and what is good for the goose, is good for the gander..SIKENA!!!
OlaDotun Oladipupo Dotman Why not establish Muslims schools rather than make secular schools go through this? This policy witnessed a high degree of rejection from the onset but trust our people, they have make it religious if not it shouldn’t have seen the light of the day, 92 students and parents, how do they know the 92 students? Its heading towards a crises and ibeere ogun la nri,enikan ki mo ipari e (we only know the commencement of a war, no one know how it will end).....,Osun GOVT should watch it
Olaniyi Olamayowa: I don’t know if you are from Iwo or not, but I will let you know what you don’t know today. You see, when the missionary was brought to Iwo, it was totally accepted by those that are practicing traditional religion but those who are Muslim of that time refuse and they are fighting that Christianity should not be performed in the town, now after the existence of Baptist, they build their school not for their children only but for those who are ready to abide by the rules and regulation of the school in exchange of knowledge. So can you now tell me that what they (are) doing is terrorizing the town and the state? That’s why it is good to be good because whatever you do is waiting to tell on your generation after your demises. SO, BE GOOD TODAY!
Yunusa Saheed Obalowu: Withdrawing Muslim Students from Christian School is not the solution at all. Understanding + Cooperation and Unity are the best means of finding solution to the problem
Aderokaye Oluwashola Solex How many states are using this same educational pattern? The most civilized state is not following this pattern, I don’t no why Ogbeni(Governor Aregbesola) is doing this or can someone tell me the reasons for this? Was it like this when Ogbeni was a student? There are lots of important issues to be tackled in the state than this trash. Revert all the actions taken because you need to obey the masses irrespective (of) your position. Islam is a religion of peace therefore let there be no violence.
Adetunji Adeniyi By what is written here, it is apparent that some people who are the enemies of your educational reforms are behind all these arrant nonsense. You don’t take these with levity otherwise expect it being escalated, Period!
With no end in sight, and the state government maintaining it stand as well as all sides affected by the crisis, we are yet unsure how the drama will end.
@donabiodun
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