Parents have criticised the governments of four northern states: Katsina, Kebbi, Kano, and Bauchi for shutting down schools during the ongoing Ramadan fasting, describing the decision as shocking and completely unwise.

The National President of the Parent-Teacher Association of Nigeria (PTAN), Alhaji Haruna Danjuma, expressed this position in an exclusive interview with the Nigerian Tribune on Monday when asked for his reaction to the development.

He said he could not imagine, let alone understand, what could have led the governors of these four states to make such a decision, especially at this crucial time when SS3 students are preparing for four major public examinations: the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB); the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by WAEC and NECO; and the examination conducted by NABTEB.

According to him, everyone understands the importance of these exams to students, and they need adequate preparation to perform well.

He noted that it is clear that none of the examination bodies would lower their standards for any reason, including Ramadan fasting.

Pointing out that Nigeria operates a uniform school calendar nationwide, with students expected to cover a specific syllabus within a set period, Danjuma questioned why the governors would shut down schools and ask students to stay at home for Ramadan fasting while their peers in the other 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory continue attending classes.

?This decision, to us parents, is totally unwise and unacceptable and should be reversed,? the PTAN president said, adding that the action also infringes on the rights of non-Muslim students in those states to access education.

He argued that such an unwarranted holiday should not even be considered in these four northern states, which already struggle with a high number of out-of-school children.

He further questioned the fate of other civil servants who continue working and contributing to their respective state economies while teachers enjoy a five-week holiday.

?That is another major issue and an unfair treatment of other civil servants in those states,? he stressed, urging political leaders to think carefully before making decisions of public importance.

According to Danjuma, Nigeria has not yet fully recovered from the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown across various sectors, particularly education. He emphasized that efforts should focus on bridging learning gaps rather than widening them.

Danjuma therefore urged the governors of the four affected states: Dikko Umar (Katsina), Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi) to reconsider their decisions and allow students to return to school so they can continue their studies alongside their peers in other parts of the country.

He concluded by stating that education is not a sector to be toyed with or politicized. (Nigerian Tribune)

Update news