The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora’s Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna thanked the Niger State Government for bringing Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) back into the public school system after it had been dropped for more than ten years. The governor of Niger State, Umaru Mohammed Bago, declared on March 7 that CRK will be reinstated and make it required for Christian students. Since no teachers had been hired in more than ten to fifteen years, Bishop Bulus stressed that this decision was long overdue and that students were being forced to teach unrelated topics or transfer disciplines.
A committee was established by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to examine the situation and provide a recommendation to the government in order to remedy this problem. In his capacity as the CAN chairman for Niger State, Bishop Bulus emphasised how a lack of formal religious Education fuelled moral decay and crimes against young people. When the Governor finally heard the plan, he agreed to reinstate CRK and acknowledged the problem. Recruiting suitable teachers is the next issue now that CRK has been re-established, as many students left CRK because there were no job options.
Christians should embrace the initiative and seize the chance.
At the Federal College of Education (FCE), the Diocese intends to recruit catechists and encourage students to pursue CRK. They’re thinking of providing sponsorships to students that want to focus on CRK. In order to ensure successful implementation, Bishop Bulus reiterated his commitment to collaborating with the government, stressing the importance of religious education for moral development and the advancement of society. Christians, he said, should embrace the initiative and seize the chance. Thinking back on the topic of the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, he emphasised the value of hope in creating a better future.
Due to a lack of competent teachers, policy changes, and insufficient money, Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) instruction in Nigerian public schools has suffered greatly during the last ten years. Islamic Religious Knowledge (IRK) and CRK were combined into a single topic under Civic Education by the Federal Government in an attempt to simplify the curriculum. Religious communities became concerned as a result of the amalgamation’s decreased emphasis on individualised religious studies. In reaction to these worries, the government of Niger State has taken proactive measures to bring it back into the Curriculum of public schools.
Gov’t has worked with CAN to create procedures for the hiring process.
Governor Mohammed Bago stressed the importance of religious instruction in combating societal ills like drug usage and restlessness among young people when he announced intentions to hire CRK teachers throughout the state. In order to guarantee that competent teachers are hired to teach the topic, the government has worked with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to create procedures for the hiring process. The hiring of certified CRK teachers right away is the first step in the organised reintegration process. The government intends to set up specialised training programs for these teachers, emphasising modern pedagogical approaches and curriculum delivery, in order to guarantee effective instruction.
These programs are anticipated to be funded by the state education budget, with possible federal funding and collaborations with religious institutions providing further assistance. In addition to hiring catechists and motivating students to study CRK, other ways to improve religious education include incorporating Technology into the classroom. For example, using interactive tools and digital platforms to make courses more interesting. Teachers can benefit from ongoing Professional Development that keeps them abreast of best practices by forming alliances with theological institutions.
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Students’ educational experiences can be enhanced by adding community service initiatives that are connected to Religion teachings since they provide real-world examples of moral values. Government incentives to recruit and retain CRK instructors could be implemented for long-term sustainability. Some examples of these incentives could be competitive pay, chances for professional growth, and initiatives to honour exceptional teachers. The inclusion of religious studies in the core curriculum also guarantees its ongoing significance and relevance. In order to ensure that religious education continues to be an essential part of students’ overall development, regular evaluations and feedback systems can assist in adjusting the program to changing educational demands.