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The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has strongly condemned the decision by the governments of northern states of Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi States to close down all schools, public and private for about five weeks during the Ramadan fast.
The condemnation was conveyed in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja and signed by the President of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, expressing grave concerns about the directive, and that it portends serious threat to education and national unity.
“Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi already face alarming rates of out-of-school children, averaging 44% far above the national average. Closing schools for an extended period will only deepen this crisis and undermine efforts to ensure quality education for all.
"“Policies affecting diverse populations Muslims, Christians, and others must be the result of inclusive dialogue. Unfortunately, that has not happened, and such unilateral decisions erode trust and unity in our pluralistic society.
CAN bemoaned the fact that the Christian body was not consulted before such a directive was taken since it will affect all the pupils and students in the affected states irrespective of their religion.
“If Islamic heartlands can maintain a balance between education and religious observance, Nigeria’s northern states should follow suit. A five-week closure is excessive and lacks global precedent,” CAN maintained and called on the governors of Bauchi (Bala Mohammed), Katsina (Dikko Umar Radda), Kano (Abba Kabir Yusuf), and Kebbi (Nasir Idris) to open channels of dialogue with religious bodies, school owners, parents, and civil society to reassess the directives.
“Should these rights continue to face jeopardy, we are prepared to seek restraining orders through the courts to protect the constitutional rights to education and freedom of conscience.
“Let us build a Nigeria where faith and progress harmonize, where no child’s education is sacrificed, and where all communities feel valued. We urge the governors to reconsider these policies in the spirit of fairness and national cohesion,” the statement noted.