The federal government of Nigeria has condemned Bauchi, Katsina, Kebbi, and Kano’s governors for sending children away from school to observe Ramadan.
The Governors gave a mandated for a five-week closure of schools for the Ramadan fast.
The Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmad in a statement on Wednesday said “There is no religious basis for shutting down schools during Ramadan. Even in countries like Saudi Arabia, which are recognised as Muslim nations, educational institutions continue to function normally during this period.”
Ms Ahmad acknowledged the autonomy of the states in managing their education systems but insisted that “closing schools for Ramadan is unnecessary and detrimental to student learning.”
According to UNICEF, Nigeria has 18.3 million out-of-school children, with Bauchi having the highest rate of 54 per cent, followed by Kebbi with 45 per cent. Katsina has 38 per cent, and Kano is fourth with 35 per cent.
Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria has issued an ultimatum to the governments of Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi states, demanding the reversal of their directives mandating a five-week closure of schools for the Ramadan fast.
CAN described the move as discriminatory and a violation of the rights of non-Muslim students, warning that it would pursue legal action if the orders were not rescinded.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, CAN President, Daniel Okoh, criticized the policy, highlighting its potential to worsen the educational crisis in the affected states, which already account for 44% of Nigeria’s out-of-school children.
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