Christian schools in northern Nigeria have been shut down for Ramadan by order of the regional governors.
The unprecedented move happened within the states of Kano, Katsina, Bauchi and Kebbi, where the governors decreed that every one schools, regardless of non secular affiliation, can be required to shut during Ramadan.
The decision has been condemned by Christian religious leaders, teachers unions and by student representatives.
According to anti-persecution group, Open Doors, the pinnacle of Katsina’s morality police has insisted that the closure also applies to personal schools, adding that “non-compliance won’t be tolerated”.
Open Doors’ legal expert for sub-Saharan Africa, who can’t be named for security reasons, condemned the choice.
“Right to education is a fundamental right that should be guaranteed no matter student’s religious background. This motion violates the basic right to education and non secular freedom of non secular minorities,” they said.
“The precedent it sets can also be dangerous and may lead to violation of other fundamental rights of non secular minorities.”
Samson Adeyemi, spokesman for the National Association of Nigerian Students accused the authorities of setting “a dangerous precedent” and of prioritising religious observances over students’ right to education.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference was also critical, adding that the foundations could possibly be a breach of Nigeria’s secular structure, which states that neither the country nor any of its states will adopt an official state religion.
The Most Rev Daniel Okoh, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), said the choice could possibly be devastating for the life possibilities of poorer children who already struggle to receive education in Nigeria.
He also noted that even Saudi Arabia keeps schools open during Ramadan, albeit with altered timetables.
Islamic radicals within the north of the country have change into an increasing problem for Christian minorities, with attacks, murders and kidnappings widespread.
The name of Nigeria’s most notorious Islamist group, “Boko Haram”, which is behind much of the violence, could be translated as “Western Education is Forbidden”.
