The Federal Government has called on Bauchi, Kano, Katsina and Kebbi States to reconsider their decision in closing down schools for the Ramadan.
It said that the closure was unnecessary and harmful to students’ education particularly when considered against the backdrop of the out of school children in the affected states.
Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, who stated the position of the Federal Government, said that there was no religious basis for shutting down schools during Ramadan.
Prof Ahmad in a statement said that even in countries like Saudi Arabia, which are recognised as Muslim nations, educational institutions continue to function normally during Ramanda period.
While acknowledging that states have autonomy over their education systems, the minister however noted that keeping children out of school during the holy month undermines learning outcomes and widens the existing educational gaps.
A UNICEF data showing the 18.3 million out-of-school children, indicated that Bauchi State leads with 54 per cent, followed by Kebbi with 45 per cent, Katsina standing at 38 per cent, while Kano has 35 per cent out of school children.
Curiously, the four northern states account for a significant portion of Nigeria’s education crisis, a development the federal government insisted could worsen with the closure of schools by the affected states during Ramadan.
