By Hosea Parah, Abuja

Rev. John Joseph Hayab, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has criticized northern governors for shutting down schools during Ramadan. He specifically condemned the decision of Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi States to close both public and private schools for five weeks, calling it a significant setback for education in the region.

In a statement issued on Monday, Hayab argued that if religious considerations were to be applied consistently, schools should also be closed during the Christian Lenten season, which would result in over two months of lost schooling each year. He expressed concern about the negative impact of the closures on students preparing for crucial exams like the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). CAN warned that this could lead to poor academic performance and further disadvantage northern students competing for university admissions.

Hayab also pointed to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, revealing that Bauchi, Kebbi, Katsina, and Kano already have some of the highest rates of out-of-school children in Nigeria, with figures of 54%, 45%, 38%, and 35%, respectively. He cautioned that such school closures could worsen the region’s educational challenges and deepen the academic gap between the north and the south.

The statement also questioned why predominantly Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates continue to keep schools open during Ramadan, while northern Nigerian states opt to close theirs. CAN urged leaders to reconsider the decision and explore alternatives, such as adjusting school hours, rather than completely shutting down educational institutions.

Furthermore, CAN revealed that consultations with Islamic scholars had indicated that the school closures were not a religious necessity but rather a politically motivated decision. Hayab urged northern governors to prioritize education and avoid policies that might portray the region as neglecting its educational responsibilities. He also called on concerned Nigerians to intervene, stressing the importance of balancing education and religious practices for the betterment of children’s futures in the region.