Amidst heated controversy surrounding the decision of Kebbi, Katsina, Bauchi, and Kano states government to close schools for five weeks during Ramadan, the Supreme Council for Shariah of Nigeria (SCSN) has further fueled the fire as it urges Zamfara, Sokoto, Jigawa, and other northern states to adopt a similar measure. In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Nafiu Baba-Ahmad, the council asserted that the governors had full control over school calendars. SCSN defended the closures as a measure that prioritizes students’ well-being, especially amid extreme heat conditions.
It dismissed criticism from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and some NGOs, arguing that state governments should have complete control over school schedules. The group emphasized that governors have the only authority to determine school holidays, with the exception of Kogi State, where the law is not applicable, citing the Education Law of January 1, 1964. The council maintained that no state government is required to obtain external approval before making choices, arguing that CAN is not a stakeholder in the education policy of northern states.
Closure of schools justified as cultural and religious value.
The council further commended the impacted state governments for their vision in putting the well-being of the children first. All parties involved were also urged to respect state governments’ jurisdiction and refrain from meddling in matters of education that have an immediate bearing on children and their families. The council claims that the temporary closure won’t have an impact on academic activity as the extended vacation will be adjusted to make up for lost time. The decision was also endorsed by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), which emphasized how fasting impacts pupils’ focus, vitality, and academic achievement.
Spokesman for NEF, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, asserted that the action was necessary to foster a welcoming environment for Muslim students and was respectful of the holy observances of Ramadan. He said that it is in line with the region’s religious and cultural beliefs to let students concentrate on fasting without being pressured to do well academically. Similar opinions were expressed by the Arewa Youth Consultative Council, which asserted that the closures will not materially affect the education of the students. Zaid Ayuba, the National President of the council, stated that the choice is consistent with northern customs and religious beliefs.
Civil society and Christian groups criticize the action.
He stated that the council would write to the Northern Governors Forum to push for the regional policy of closing schools during Ramadan. Ayuba maintained that it was reasonable to close schools for Ramadan if they could close for the New Year holiday, which had no religious importance. In contrast, Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi chose a different course of action by cutting official civil servant working hours to six hours rather than closing schools, while the other four states chose to implement a complete closure.
On the other hand, Christian youth organizations and Civil Society organizations have fiercely condemned the action, claiming that it violates students’ rights and compromises education. Steve Aluko, the Executive Director of the Northern Region’s Civil Liberty Organization, argued that fasting does not necessitate skipping school and questioned if schools would also close if students had international tests during Ramadan. He cautioned that the closures would endanger school enrollment, infringe against non-Muslim students’ rights, and impede their ability to learn.
Related Article: CAN slams school closure for Ramadan decision
Several northern youth leaders have also condemned the decision, voicing concerns that preventing students from attending school for an extended period might have a detrimental effect on their education. Some stressed that state governments should prioritize raising educational standards and figuring out how to support students during Ramadan without interfering with their academic success, rather than completely closing schools. With tensions rising and legal threats looming, the debate over school closures during Ramadan has become a major test for governance in the northern states.