Catholic Bishops Conference condemns closure of schools for Ramadan
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria has condemned the decision of some state Governors in Northern Nigeria to close schools for five weeks during the Ramadan season.
In a press release by the body, signed by it’s President and Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Owerri, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji and the Secretary, Most Rev. Donatus Ogun, Bishop of Uromi Diocese, the conference noted that the decision which affects not only Muslim students but also Christians and Christian owned schools raises serious questions about the secular nature of Nigeria.
The body further noted that Section 10 of the Nigerian Constitution states that the government of the Federation or a state shall not adopt any religion as state religion and that this provision, underscores the secular nature of the country and guarantees freedom of all citizens to practice their religion without hindrance.
Furthermore, the Conference pointed out that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights ( Article 26) and the International Convenient on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights ( Article 13) emphasis the right to education as a fundamental human right positing that the closure of schools for an extended period undermines this right and jeopardizes the education and future of millions of Nigerian children.
” We’re particularly concerned about the impact of the decision on the already alarming rate of out- of- school children in Northern Nigeria.
” We’re all aware that a UNESCO report indicates that Nigeria has the highest out-of- school children in the world with over 10 million children not attending school. This decision will only escalate this crisis and undermine efforts to improve education outcomes in the region.
The conference urged the Governors of the affected states to reconsider the decision and explore alternative arrangements that respect the rights and freedom of all citizens even as it appealed to the Federal Government to intervene and ensure that the rights of all Nigerians regardless of their faith or background are protected.
