The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory has advised Northern governors to match education with spiritual practice following the closure of schools in some states in the region due to the Ramadan fast.
CAN observed that the directives to close public and private schools in Bauchi, Katsina, Kano and Kebbi states for five weeks for the Ramadan fast could be a serious setback for the education of young persons in the region.
“The attention of CAN 19 Northern States and the FCT has been drawn to the directives to close public and private schools in Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi States for five weeks for the Ramadan fast.
“Indisputably, CAN in the 19 Northern States and the FCT respect our region’s religious diversity and support the observance of the fast; however, we call for a deep reflection,” the association said.
Rev. John Joseph Hayab, Chairman of CAN in the 19 Northern states and the FCT, in a statement on Monday, said the association is worried about the development given the drawbacks in school life faced by children in most northern states triggered by rising insecurities.
CAN added that the closure of schools could negatively impact senior secondary students who are preparing for exams organized by the Joint Matriculation Examination Board, as well as junior students who are sitting for the Junior Secondary Schools exams.
“Given that children are not likely to study at home as they would at school, the closure could cause massive failure, ultimately reducing the chances of kids from the north scoring the required points to be admitted into tertiary institutions by October 2025,” the association noted.
“The other anxiety is that some of the children asked to stay at home are under the age of 14 and, as such, may not even be religiously mature enough to observe the fast,” CAN added.
“CAN in the 19 Northern States and the FCT wishes to remind the people that as no examination in Nigeria is regional, by closing schools in some northern states, the prevailing gaps in the education performance table in most northern states could widened, and that would further take them down the ladder of progress.
“From a global perspective, CAN in the 19 Northern States and the FCT observed that in places such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, where Islam is the principal faith, their schools remain open during Ramadan,” the statement added.
About The Author
