The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has made a strong statement urging Northern governors to reconsider their decision to close schools for five weeks during the Ramadan fast. The association has warned that if the decision is not reversed, it will result in nationwide protests. This move follows the governors of Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi states announcing that schools in their respective regions will be closed for the entire duration of the Ramadan fast, a period expected to last five weeks, to allow Muslim students to fully participate in the fast.
NANS, however, has expressed firm opposition to this decision, calling it an infringement on students' right to uninterrupted education. The association, in a statement issued on Monday by its National Public Relations Officer, Samson Adeyemi, argued that the closure would hinder academic progress and discriminate against non-Muslim students. NANS strongly believes that such a policy would have detrimental effects on the education sector and, if left unchallenged, could set a dangerous precedent in Nigerian education. According to NANS, the policy undermines the principle of equal access to education for all students, regardless of their religious background.
In its statement, NANS emphasized that while it respects the religious observances of Muslim students, it strongly believes that the academic calendar should not be compromised. Adeyemi further argued that while the decision to close schools during Ramadan may seem well-intentioned, it would have a significant impact on the academic trajectory of students who do not partake in the fast. Additionally, the closure could create a divide among students based on religious lines, with non-Muslim students potentially being subjected to unfair treatment or discrimination.
Adeyemi also noted that this policy would set a precedent for future actions that could further disrupt the educational system and undermine the quality of education that students receive across the country. NANS has stated that it cannot sit idly by while the rights of students are undermined and the educational system is put at risk. As such, the association has given the governors of Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi states a 72-hour ultimatum to reverse the decision. Failure to comply with this demand, according to NANS, will lead to nationwide protests and legal action aimed at protecting the rights of Nigerian students to an uninterrupted education.
The statement from NANS reads in part: "The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS National Body) vehemently condemns the recent directive by the governors of Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi states to close schools during the holy month of Ramadan. This policy is not only unjust but also a blatant infringement on the fundamental rights of students to receive uninterrupted education. NANS stands firm in advocating for the right to education for all Nigerian students, regardless of their religious affiliations. Closing schools for an extended period during Ramadan undermines the academic progress of students, disrupts their learning, and unfairly targets non-Muslim students, subjecting them to undue discrimination. NANS demands the immediate reversal of this policy and issues a 72-hour ultimatum to the governors of Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi states to take corrective action and reopen schools. Failure to comply will result in nationwide protests and legal actions to protect the rights of Nigerian students."
As the deadline looms, it remains to be seen whether the governors of the affected states will respond to NANS' demands or if the association will follow through on its threat to protest. Regardless of the outcome, the issue has sparked a wider debate on the balance between religious observance and the right to education in Nigeria.