CAN in the 19 Northern States and Abuja stands in solidarity with the statement issued yesterday by the National President of CAN on this matter. We call on the public to remain calm and law-abiding while urging stakeholders and well-meaning Nigerians to work together in resolving this issues, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) acknowledges and respects our region’s religious diversity, supporting the observance of the Ramadan fast. However, we believe it is important to call for deeper reflection on the recent decisions regarding school closures.
We, at CAN in the 19 Northern States and the FCT, are deeply concerned about the decision to close schools in the affected states. The recent spate of insecurity in many northern regions has already disrupted the education of our children. The closure of schools for five weeks, while well-intentioned, comes at a particularly unfortunate time. Not only does it undermine the quality of education in the region, but the long-term impact could further hinder the educational progress of our youth.
The attention of CAN has been drawn to the directive to close both public and private schools in Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi States for the duration of Ramadan. While we fully understand the importance of religious observances, we must consider the potential consequences of this closure, especially on senior secondary students preparing for crucial examinations such as those conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). For these students, every day counts, and the loss of weeks of schooling could have a detrimental effect on their academic performance.
As a community, we must remind ourselves that no examination in Nigeria is regional. The decision to close schools in some northern states risks widening the already existing educational disparities between the north and other regions of the country. This setback could further erode our progress and keep us further behind in the race for educational excellence. The same holds true for junior students preparing for their Junior Secondary School exams.
Therefore, CAN in the 19 Northern States and the FCT calls on the states that have announced the school closures to reconsider their approach and draw inspiration from the practices of Arab nations. Countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, where Islam is the principal faith, keep their schools open during Ramadan. This allows students to balance both their religious commitments and their academic responsibilities, ensuring that they are not left behind in their educational pursuits.
It is essential that we protect our children from falling behind academically. The closure of schools during this period could have serious long-term consequences, diminishing their chances of performing well enough to gain admission into tertiary institutions by October 2025.
In conclusion, CAN in the 19 Northern States and the FCT urges all concerned authorities to adopt a more balanced approach that safeguards the future of our children, without compromising their right to education.
