Sharia Council and Northern Leaders Push for Ramadan School Closures Amid Rising Tensions Over Education, Religious Rights, and Cultural Traditions in Nigeria
The decision by the governments of Kebbi, Katsina, Bauchi, and Kano states to close schools for five weeks during the Ramadan period has sparked heated reactions across northern Nigeria. While proponents argue the move aligns with religious and cultural values, critics warn of its detrimental impact on education.
Supporters Defend Decision
The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria has urged other northern states, including Zamfara, Sokoto, and Jigawa, to adopt similar measures. In a statement, the council’s Secretary-General, Nafiu Baba-Ahmad, insisted that state governors had the authority to determine school schedules and praised the decision as a way to prioritize students’ well-being, especially amid extreme heat conditions.
Similarly, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) supported the closures, emphasizing the need to balance education with religious observance. NEF spokesman Abdul-Azeez Suleiman noted that fasting during Ramadan affects students’ concentration, energy levels, and academic performance, making school closures a reasonable accommodation.
The Arewa Youth Consultative Council echoed these sentiments, stating that the move reflects the culture and values of the northern region. National President Zaid Ayuba affirmed that his group would petition the Northern Governors Forum to make school closures a standard policy during Ramadan. He argued that if schools could be closed for the New Year, they should also be shut down for Ramadan, which holds greater religious significance for Muslims.
Critics Raise Concerns
Despite strong support from religious and cultural groups, civil society organizations and Christian youth groups have condemned the decision, citing concerns about its impact on students’ education. Steve Aluko, Executive Director of the Civil Liberty Organisation (Northern Region), argued that fasting does not require abstaining from work or study. He questioned whether schools would be closed if students were scheduled to sit for international exams during Ramadan.
Aluko further contended that school closures infringe upon children’s rights and violate constitutional principles. “Religion is a personal affair and should not interfere with education. Closing schools for one religious observance undermines inclusivity and fairness,” he stated.
Similarly, Northern Hausa Christian leaders rejected the move, pointing out that even in Saudi Arabia, a predominantly Muslim country, schools remain in session during Ramadan. Daniel Musa, Chairman of the Hausa Christian Development Initiative, warned that frequent disruptions to the academic calendar could negatively affect students’ career prospects and contribute to the region’s already high rate of out-of-school children.
Calls for Protest and Alternative Solutions
Some youth leaders have urged students to protest the closures, warning of their long-term impact on education in northern Nigeria. Bako Yahaya, a youth leader from Katsina, criticized the move as a setback for a region already struggling with insecurity and low literacy rates. “If we truly want progress, we must separate religion from education,” he asserted.
A senior government official in Kano, speaking anonymously, also voiced concerns about the closures, stating that skipping one month of the curriculum would set students back academically. The official suggested that instead of shutting down schools, governments should consider reducing school hours to accommodate religious observances while maintaining academic continuity.
The Way Forward
As tensions rise over the decision, the debate highlights the ongoing struggle to balance religious traditions with modern educational needs in northern Nigeria. While supporters see school closures as a necessary step to uphold cultural and religious values, opponents warn that such disruptions could deepen educational disparities in the region.
The controversy underscores the need for northern state governments to find a compromise that respects religious obligations without compromising students’ academic progress.
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