Similarly, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and Abuja, has condemned the closure of schools for five weeks during Ramadan in four states of the North.
The Christian body also called on northern governors to balance education with spiritual practice.
It should be noted that a directive was issued to close public and private schools in Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi states for five weeks during Ramadan.
However, Northern CAN, in a statement issued by its chairman, Rev. (Dr.) John Joseph Hayab, expressed serious concerns that the closure would negatively impact senior secondary students preparing for exams and junior students sitting for Junior Secondary School exams in the affected states.
He said, “We are worried about the school closure given the drawbacks faced by children in most northern states, triggered by rising insecurities, which have obstructed the education of our wards.”
“The closure of schools could negatively impact senior secondary students preparing for exams organized by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). The same applies to junior students who are sitting for the Junior Secondary School exams.”
Hayab also noted that some children under the age of 14 may not be religiously mature enough to observe the fast.
“The other concern is that some of the children asked to stay at home are under the age of 14 and may not even be religiously mature enough to observe the fast.”
“The recent Multidimensional Poverty Index by the National Bureau for Statistics highlights the educational challenges in these states, with Bauchi at 54%, Kebbi at 45%, Katsina at 38%, and Kano at 35% of children lacking access to education,” he said.
The CAN chairman noted that schools remain open during Ramadan even in countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, urging the affected states to adopt a similar approach.
For Northern CAN, instead of closing schools, it suggested cutting school hours to allow students and teachers to observe the Ramadan fast.
Rev. Hayab also emphasized that the decision to close schools might not be based on Islamic teachings but rather political expediency.
He said, “From a global perspective, CAN in the 19 Northern States and the FCT observes that in places such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, where Islam is the principal faith, schools remain open during Ramadan, aligning education with spiritual practice.”
“On the strength of the above facts, the leadership of CAN in the 19 Northern States and the FCT views the move to close schools during Ramadan as misjudged. We admonish the affected states that the best approach could be to cut school hours—say, from morning to noon—to permit school administrators, teachers, and students who are of age to observe the fast, but not a total closure. The current move could weaken the prospects of delivering quality education for all in the region.”
“CAN in the 19 Northern States has consulted with prominent Islamic scholars, and from their explanation, we realize that the decisions of those governors might be based on political expediency and not grounded in any Islamic teaching.”
Consequently, Northern CAN appealed to the governors to reconsider their decision and prioritize education.
“CAN Northern Nigeria, therefore, wishes to appeal to the governors of Northern Nigeria, especially those championing this ill-advised idea, to stop presenting our region in a bad light and make people laugh at us as unserious people.”
“As a peace-loving organization, CAN calls on the people to remain calm and law-abiding, and challenges stakeholders and well-meaning Nigerians to address the matter amicably.”
“As peace-loving people, CAN in the 19 Northern States and Abuja, in solidarity with the statement released by the National President of CAN yesterday on this matter, calls on the people to remain calm and law-abiding and challenges stakeholders and well-meaning Nigerians to address the matter most amicably,” Hayab stressed.
Similarly, in a joint statement from CBCN President Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji and secretary Most Rev. Donatus Ogun, Catholic bishops expressed their disappointment over the implications of this decision, particularly its impact on Muslim and Christian students and Christian-owned educational institutions.
The bishops expressed their concerns regarding Nigeria’s secular framework and citizens’ rights.
“As stated in Section 10 of the Nigerian Constitution, ‘The Government of the Federation or a State shall not adopt any religion as State Religion.’ This provision underscores our country’s secular nature and guarantees all citizens the freedom to practice their faith without hindrance.”
“As we emphasized in our pastoral letter, ‘The Church and the Nigerian State’ (2012), ‘The Nigerian state is secular, and this secularity is not a mere declaration; it is a fundamental principle that must guide all aspects of our national life,'” they said.
While highlighting the broader issues associated with the decision to suspend educational activities, the bishops referenced the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 26) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Article 13), which affirm the right to education as a fundamental human right.
They cautioned that the prolonged closure of schools jeopardizes the future of millions of Nigerian children by undermining their educational opportunities.
The bishops stated they are particularly concerned about the potential escalation of the already concerning number of out-of-school children in northern Nigeria.
“UNESCO reports that Nigeria is home to the highest number of out-of-school children globally, with over 10 million children currently not receiving an education,” they said.
The CBCN warned that this latest decision could exacerbate the crisis and thwart ongoing initiatives to improve educational outcomes in the region.
It urged the state governors to reconsider their decisions and seek alternative solutions that respect the rights and freedoms of all citizens.
The bishops also called on the federal government to intervene and ensure the protection of rights for all Nigerians, regardless of their religious beliefs.
“We pray that our leaders will prioritize the education and well-being of all Nigerian children, regardless of their faith or background, and work towards creating a more just and equitable society for all,” the bishops said.
