The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has accused Bauchi, Kano, Katsina, and Kebbi states governors of playing with the future of the children with the closure of schools during Ramadan.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Muhammed Ishaq, in a statement issued Friday expressed disappointment, saying the decision disrupts the educational programme of the children and undermines their rights to quality education.
He said: “It is pertinent to note that these governors, some of whom hold advanced degrees—Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina with a PhD in Agriculture and Rural Sociology, Nasir Idris of Kebbi with a PhD in Education, and others—have opted to prioritise political expediency over common sense and the educational needs of their constituents.
“How can a state led by such a learned individual decide that the best way to move forward is to lock the doors of learning during a time of fasting? This contradiction raises significant concerns about their commitment to progress and quality education.”
The party noted that historically, during their own time in secondary school, these leaders experienced uninterrupted learning during Ramadan.
It added that given this precedent, the current administrations’ decisions appear inconsistent and misguided.
It noted: “Currently, states like Bauchi, Kano, Katsina, and Kebbi face alarming rates of out-of-school children, averaging around 44 per cent, significantly higher than the national average.
“Closing schools during Ramadan only deepens this crisis and threatens the educational advancement of millions of students.
“Such extended closures will disrupt academic schedules and further compromise the futures of our children, given that these states already ranked poorly in the recent WAEC examinations and continue to lead in the number of school dropouts in Nigeria.”
The party pointed out that the significance of Ramadan is well understood; however, education and spirituality can coexist.
It said many Islamic nations, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, manage to balance educational needs with religious observance during this holy month by adapting school schedules rather than closing them entirely.
It noted that if these nations could maintain this equilibrium, surely Nigeria’s Northern States can strive for similar solutions instead of implementing extended closures that undermine children’s learning.