Kwara Arabic School Flogging: Committee Submits Report, Makes Recommendations

The 11-member committee set up by the Kwara State Government to investigate the corporal punishment meted on some Arabic school students in Ganmo has submitted its report.

Presenting the report to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Monday, chairman of the committee and a former Grand Kadi of the state, Justice Idris Haroon, said their recommendations included an appeal to the government to immediately set up the Arabic Board to regulate the activities of Arabic and Islamic schools.

The constitution of the board, he noted, would provide an immediate solution to most of the problems confronting Arabic schools in the state.

The Committee which frowned “at the magnitude and manner in which the punishment was carried out” said steps must be taken to ensure that corrective measures are moderate and better implemented.

Justice Haroon added the committee had 13 sittings altogether; nine at the Conference Hall, Kwara State Ministry of Energy, Ilorin, one at the premises of Misbaudeen Arabic School, Ganmo, and three in other places within the community.

In the course of their assignment, the committee interacted with the management, staff and students of the school.

It also held sessions with the parents/guardians of the affected students and some members of the host community.

The governor commended the committee members for accepting the call to serve the people of the state.

He said the government would study and implement the report for the benefit of the society, including the setting up of the Arabic board.

He said the government understood the delicate nature of the issues involved, hence “we chose to invite experts in the field to look into the issue.

“We are glad that within the very short period you have come with your report. The government will diligently look into it”, he added.