BY JULIET NONYELUM EKWENUGO
Kaduna
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has commended the Katsina State Government for approving the recruitment of Christian Religious Studies (CRS) teachers and introducing the subject in public schools across the state.
Chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, in a statement issued to journalists in Kaduna yesterday, described the move as a bold step towards restoring moral values among young people.
He noted that while providing for religious education is a constitutional responsibility, it has become rare in parts of the North due to what he termed the “systematic neglect of Christian education.”
Rev. Hayab said the initiative by Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, along with similar steps recently taken in Niger and Borno states, represents a positive example of inclusive governance.
“We commend Governor Dikko Umaru Radda for showing leadership in this regard. Ordinarily, this should not be something we celebrate because it is the duty of every northern governor. Unfortunately, Christians have had to struggle for such recognition”.
The cleric stressed that ensuring religious education for both Christians and Muslims should not be seen as an act of charity but a right that promotes peace, mutual respect, and the moral upbringing of children.
He warned that denying such opportunities fuels moral decline and increases the risk of social disorder.
“When children are not taught to fear God and live by moral values, they grow into a menace to the whole community and not just to one religious group. Refusing to allow the teaching of either CRS or Islamic Studies in any part of the North is a disservice to the future”.
Northern CAN urged other northern governors who have yet to make provisions for CRS in public schools to emulate Katsina, Niger and Borno states.
He also called on Christian governors in the region to ensure Islamic Studies teachers are provided for Muslim pupils in their states, noting that fairness in religious education fosters social harmony.
