By Newman Anthony Levey in Bo
There was a row at the premises of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Secondary School (AMSS) in Bo on Tuesday 18th August, between Islamic scholars and some teachers over the decision to bar a female pupil from taking the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination in veil.
On the 15th of August, Memunatu Barrie and other female pupils in the school were asked by the examination supervisors and invigilators to remove their veil before entering the examination hall so as to prevent any form of examination malpractice. According to reports, all the other pupils complied with the rules and unveil, but Barrie declined, noting that the veil was part of her school uniform and her dress code. She said she couldn’t remove it under any circumstance. She was subsequently bared from taking that particular paper – Physical Health Education.
In an interview with Politico, Ms Barrie expressed disappointment in her school for not protecting her dress code as an Islamic school, leading to her missing out on a subject she would have passed if she had attempted it.
“I am someone who used to wear veil. I came to this school because I know it is a Muslim school and they wear veil. But I was sent out of the exam hall the day I went to write the PHE exam. I begged the school authorities to allow me write my exam but it fell on deaf ears," she said.
She noted that she cried because she was deprived of her right to education.
Menumatu went on to note that she even asked that a female teacher searched her before entering the exam hall as it was rumored that they carried illegal materials in their veils to spy.
This action by the examination authorities has sparked several criticisms from the public, especially given that the school is an Islamic school with the Hajib being part of the uniform for girls.
Following the incident, the Ahmadiyya Mission in Sierra Leone on the 16th of August published a public notice in condemnation of the act of the examination authorities, noting that the veil was part of the school uniform and that their female pupils should be allowed to take examinations in veil without discrimination or embarrassment.
“I am directed by the Amir (head) and Missionary in charge of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Sierra Leone (Proprietor) of Ahmadiyya Muslim Schools in Sierra Leone, that Principals of Ahmadiyya Muslim Schools should allow female pupils to have on hijab/veil during examinations as it is part of the uniform for girls in Ahmadiyya Muslim Schools,” the statement reads, adding that female teachers were encouraged to search the girls before the commencement of the examination to ensure sanity.
The Principal, Ahmadiyya Muslim Secondary School Bo, Ishmeal Nallo, told Politico that they have resolved the issues as a mission.
“We have resolved the matter. She missed a subject but she has continued writing the exams even this week," Nallo said, adding that it was a human error and that the teachers have apologized.
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