By Alade Adisa
The National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) has criticized the decision by the Bauchi and Katsina state governments to shut down primary and secondary schools during the ongoing Ramadan fasting.
The association has called for an immediate reversal of the decision.
Speaking in an interview with New Daily Prime, NAPTAN National President, Alhaji Haruna Danjuma, described the move as unnecessary and warned that it would further set back the education system.
**“This decision is unnecessary. In the end, it will bring further setbacks to the education system. Firstly, not all pupils and students in these states are Muslims. Additionally, these are not the only states with Muslim students.
“It will disrupt the academic calendar and interfere with the curriculum. Many students in these states are currently preparing for their external examinations, such as WASSCE, NECO, NABTEB, and others. This decision will negatively impact their preparations.
“How does it make sense for students to be asked to stay home for a month and then return only to be administered terminal examinations? These students resumed their second term barely a month ago,”** he stated.
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Parents Strongly Oppose the Decision
NAPTAN emphasized that parents are strongly opposed to the school closures and urged the two state governments to reconsider their stance.
**“If the goal is to encourage pupils and students to observe fasting, there are better ways to do so. The government can provide food items for breaking the fast or even offer financial support.
“Asking students to stay home for a month is a disservice to the education system, especially in a region where children are already being persuaded to attend school,”** Danjuma added.
It should be recalled that Bauchi State was the first to announce, a few days ago, that all public and private primary and secondary schools in the state would be closed for the duration of Ramadan.
