Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, has expressed deep concern over the declaration by some governors in the north to close schools for five weeks during the Ramadan period.
CBCN said the development raised serious questions about the secular nature of the country and the rights of all citizens.
This was made known in a statement jointly signed by the CBCN President and the Secretary, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji and Most Rev. Donatus A. Ogun, respectively.
According to the Catholic body, the closure of schools for an extended period undermined the rights and jeopardises the education and future of millions of Nigerian children.
DAILY POST reported that the governors of Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi states said they will close down schools for five weeks for the Ramadan fast.
However, CBCN said the decision will only undermine efforts to improve education outcomes in the region.
It, therefore, urged the governors of the affected states to reconsider this decision and explore alternative arrangements that respect the rights and freedoms of all citizens
“We, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), express deep concern over the recent declaration by some governors in northern Nigeria to close schools for five weeks during the Ramadan period. This decision, which affects not only Muslim students but also Christian students and Christian-owned schools, raises serious questions about the secular nature of our country and the rights of all citizens.
“As stated in Section 10 of the Nigerian Constitution, ‘The Government of the Federation or of a State shall not adopt any religion as State Religion.’ This provision underscores the secular nature of our country and guarantees the freedom of all citizens to practise their faith without hindrance.
“We are particularly concerned about the impact of this decision on the already alarming rate of out-of-school children in northern Nigeria. According to UNESCO, Nigeria has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, with over 10 million children not attending school. This decision will only exacerbate this crisis and undermine efforts to improve education outcomes in the region,” part of the statement read.
