3 Northern states shun CAN counsel, argue all stakeholders, including CAN, were consulted before decision was taken
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Three Northern states – Kebbi, Bauchi, and Kano – are adamant that the closure of their primary and secondary schools for Ramadan will not be recovered, despite concerns raised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Both the federal CAN and the Northern branch have pointed out the negative impact on children of the closure of schools for the Muslim fasting period, a closure imposed on Muslims and Christians alike, amid registration for external examinations.
Secondary school students’ registration for the National Examination Council (NECO) examination is ongoing until May 24. Registration for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) spans February 3 to March 8.
In some Northern states, schools – from primary to tertiary levels – are closed for up to five weeks to observe this year’s Ramadan.
Kebbi
“We are not reversing the decision. The closure of the schools was a result of meetings with all relevant stakeholders, including religious leaders, parents, and others.
“The leadership of CAN and the Muslim community were carried along before the decision was reached,” Kebbi Governor’s Chief Press Secretary Ahmed Idris told The PUNCH.
He explained that the closure would only affect a maximum of two weeks in Kebbi from the initial academic calendar and would not disrupt school activities.
“Our normal school calendar already factored in closures during the fasting period. So, the issue of disrupting the academic calendar does not arise.”
Kano
Balarabe Kiru, Public Enlightenment Director in Kano Ministry of Education, said there is no reason for the state government to reverse the directive since it was given after a meeting with all relevant stakeholders.
“There was a stakeholders’ meeting at the federal level during which the Christian Association of Nigeria was fully represented,” he said.
“More so, members of the State Executive Council have also agreed on the academic calendar. So there is no way we can reverse the directive. There is no going back on the decision so far taken with the knowledge and agreement of all stakeholders and the State Executive Council.”
Bauchi
Bauchi Education Commissioner Lawal Zayam also insisted that the decision would not be reviewed because the holiday was factored into the 2024/2025 academic calendar in the state at the beginning of the session.
Said he: “We have not done anything extraordinary. Before we drafted the 2024/2025 session calendar, the stakeholders’ input was considered.
“The stakeholders were the ones who propel this solution, especially the private school owners whose state chairman is a Christian.
“This has nothing to do with our academic calendar because, after the resumption, the students will have two weeks of studies to complete their second term before moving on to the third term.”
“We equally consulted other states, which we exchanged programmes with before a memo was raised for the calendar and got approved by the Governor.”
CAN argues against closing schools for Ramadan
On Monday, CAN in the 19 Northern states and Abuja condemned the closure of schools in Kebbi and other Shariah-practising states – including Bauchi, Katsina, and Kano – where schools have been shut for five weeks to observe Ramadan.
This came after CAN President Daniel Okoh issued a statement in Abuja arguing that closing schools for Ramadan raises serious concerns about educational continuity, equity, and the welfare of all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs.
“The closure of schools across these northern states, ranging from nursery to tertiary levels, for an extended period will disrupt academic schedules and threaten the educational advancement of millions of students,” he stressed.
“These states are already grappling with alarming rates of out-of-school children, averaging 44 per cent according to recent data, far exceeding the national average.
“Such prolonged breaks risk deepening this crisis and undermining efforts to ensure access to quality education for all.”
A statement issued in Kaduna by Northern CAN Chairman John Hayab expressed the same concerns, saying closure of schools would negatively impact students preparing for crucial examinations, including those of NECO for Junior Secondary School (JSS) and UTME.
“We are worried about these closures, especially considering the setbacks already faced by students in most northern states due to rising insecurity. The decision could further hinder educational progress,” Hayab said.
He stressed that many children affected by the closures are under 14 and may not even be religiously mature enough to observe fasting.
“Additionally, the recent Multidimensional Poverty Index by the National Bureau of 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.”
Hayab pointed out that even in predominantly Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), schools remain open during Ramadan, urging Northern Governors to adopt a similar approach.
“Instead of shutting down schools, a better approach would be to reduce school hours, allowing students and teachers time to observe fasting without compromising education,” he added.
“We have consulted Islamic scholars, and they confirmed that these school closures are more about political expediency than religious necessity.
“CAN Northern Nigeria, therefore, wishes to appeal to governors of northern Nigeria, especially those who are championing this kind of ill-advised idea, to stop presenting our region in a bad light and make people laugh at us as if we are unserious people.
“As a peace-loving organisation, CAN call on the people to remain calm and law-abiding and challenge 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 subject matter are calling on the people to remain calm and law-abiding and challenge stakeholders and well-meaning Nigerians to address the matter most amicably.”
Yobe opts out of closing schools
Yobe seems to have opted out of closing schools for Ramadan.
Although the state’s Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has not issued an official statement, classes were held at Bukar Ali El-Kanemi Primary School in Damaturu on Monday.
Musa Tukur, a professor who is the proprietor of Sarki Musa Memorial Academy, confirmed that school hours have been adjusted to close at noon instead of 1.30pm to accommodate fasting students, but Quranic classes are temporarily suspended.
Kebbi reduces working hours for civil servants
Kebbi Governor Nasir Idris on Monday approved the reduction of official working hours for civil servants to accommodate Ramadan fasting.
Musa Tukur, Commissioner for Establishment, Pension and Training, announced in a statement that “the newly approved hours for the state civil servants from Monday to Thursday is now from 8am to 1p m while Friday is from 8am to 12pm.”
He said normal working hours would resume after the Ramadan period and urged Kebbi residents to remain steadfast in prayer for peace and stability in the state and Nigeria at large.
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