Shari’a Council supports school closures during Ramadan, dismisses opposition
On Thursday, March 6, the Supreme Council for Shari’a in Nigeria (SCSN) backed the decision of some state governments to close primary and secondary schools during the month of Ramadan. They said it was important to protect students’ health, especially because of the extreme heat in parts of Northern Nigeria.
In a statement signed by Nafiu Baba-Ahmad, the SCSN’s Secretary-General, the council encouraged states like Zamfara, Sokoto, and Jigawa to also close schools during Ramadan, noting that the decision was made with students’ well-being and religious observance in mind.
SCSN rejected the opposition from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and several non-governmental organizations (NGOs), saying that state governments have the right to decide their school schedules.
“This decision helps students continue learning while also making sure they’re not left idle for too long. It was carefully reviewed by the Ministries of Education and supported by parents,” the statement explained.
The council also criticized the idea of legal action or protests against the school closures, calling it unnecessary and an insult to the authority of state governments.
SCSN pointed out that CAN did not object when long strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) caused disruptions in schools. “It is strange that CAN is now opposing a short break of just 25 days,” they added.
The council referred to the Education Law of January 1, 1964, which gives state governors the power to set school holidays, except in Kogi State, where this law doesn’t apply.
SCSN made it clear that CAN does not have a say in the education policies of northern states and that no government needs approval from outside groups when making decisions about schools.
The council praised the state governments for making decisions in the best interest of students and urged other northern states to follow their example. They also called on everyone to respect these decisions and not interfere with policies that directly affect students and their families.
