The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) said there may be a massive job loss in private schools due to the effect of Coronavirus.
MSSN Lagos State Area Unit Amir (President) Miftahudeen Thanni, at a press conference in Alausa, appealed to both state and federal governments to provide palliatives to private schools to save many teachers and members of staff from losing their jobs.
Thanni said: “We also appeal to the government across all levels to assist private schools with palliatives. This will help to cushion the effect of COVID-19 on the schools and their teachers.
“This has been done in other sectors and education should not be left out. We are scared that there may be a massive job loss in many private schools with COVID-19 not likely to go away any time soon.
“We also appeal to both teachers and school management to show common understanding and be compassionate.”
He bemoaned the state of facilities in public schools, noting that COVID-19 exposed poor funding of education in the country.
“No doubt, coronavirus has exposed the weakness and poor standards of our schools. Ideally, the facilities required to ensure compliance with COVID-19 guidelines are supposed to be the basic things that should be readily available in our schools like wash-hand basin, running water, among others. COVID-19 has revealed the failure of successive governments to invest adequately in education,” Thanni added.
The Amirah (female head), Basheerah Majekodunmi, warned school principals against hijab harassment.
“We will not entertain any case of hijab harassment or molestation of any kind. Principals and teachers should be aware that there is an Appeal Court ruling which guarantees the freedom to use the hijab in schools.
“We will not only sue defaulters, but we will also ensure that we name and shame them publicly,” she added.
Thanni, who took over as the president of MSSN Lagos State on Sunday, introduced other members of his cabinets.
