How Can Governors Who Hold PhDs, Close Down Schools During Ramadan?, PRP Queries

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, on Friday March 7, 2025, strongly condemned the decision of some Northern Nigerian states to shut down educational institutions during the Ramadan period.

The party questioned the real motives behind what it described as a retrogressive policy by otherwise educated leaders .

The Source reports that Kano ,Kebbi, Katsina ,and Bauchi, all closed both public and private schools in their States owing to the ongoing Islamic Holy month of Ramadan.

But the order has since drawn flakes from different groups nationally and international bodies, prominent individuals and Civil society Organizations.

Some of the protesting groups and organizations, such as the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN,  have threatened legal actions should the affected States fail to reverse the directives.

In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Muhammad Ishaq, PRP expressed serious fears that the directives may impact negatively on the future of millions of children across the affected States.

According to the party, the decision represents an unnecessary disruption of the academic calendar, as well as the educational advancement of millions of innocent children.

More worrisome to the Party is the fact that some of the affected states are being led by highly educated people.

Particularly the PRP is miffed that such a retrogressive policy is being championed by Governors Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina State and his Kebbi State counterparts who are holders of Doctorate Degrees (PhDs) in Agriculture and Rural Sociology and Education respectively.

The party described the attitude of the two  Governors and their colleagues as smacking of gross hypocrisy and inconsistency.

“The decision disrupts the educational programme of our children and undermines their right to quality education.

“How can states being led by such educated people decide that the best way to move forward is to lock the doors of learning during a time of fasting?

“It is a contradiction that raises concern about their commitment to progress. These are Governors that attended schools during their time, without any disruption due to Ramadan.

“Historically, during their time in secondary school, these leaders experienced uninterrupted learning process during Ramadan .

“So their decision to close down schools during Ramadan is both inconsistent and damaging”, the PRP stated.

According to the party, it is high time Governors and other leaders in the country stopped playing politics with the future our children.

The party, therefore, called on the Governors of the affected states to take immediate steps towards reversing the school closure order.

The PRP advised the Governors and other leaders to always consult with parents and other relevant stakeholders when mulling such far reaching policies.

Furthermore, the party expressed concern that even Islamic countries across the world have never considered such retrogressive measures as an option .

“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.

“Closing schools during Ramadan only deepens education crisis and threatens the educational advancement of millions of students.

“The Governors must engage constructively with parents, educators ,and civil society organizations to reassess their decision ,and explore options that accommodate the needs of Muslim students, while ensuring that education continues”, the statement party reads .