The Supreme Council for Shari’a in Nigeria (SCSN) has defended the decision by some northern state governments to close schools during Ramadan, citing the well-being of students amid extreme heat conditions as a priority.
In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Nafiu Baba-Ahmad, the council urged states such as Zamfara, Sokoto, and Jigawa to consider similar measures, emphasizing that these decisions balance health concerns with religious observance.
The SCSN dismissed criticisms from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and certain non-governmental organizations, asserting that state governments have the constitutional authority to set school schedules.
According to the council, the closures were carefully reviewed by educational authorities and widely accepted by parents as a means of ensuring students remain engaged while avoiding prolonged idleness.
The council criticized threats of legal or industrial action over the matter, describing them as unnecessary challenges to state authority. It also questioned CAN’s opposition, pointing out its silence during previous prolonged academic disruptions caused by strikes in tertiary institutions.
The council further referenced the Education Law of 1964, which grants state governors exclusive rights to determine school holidays, except in Kogi State.
SCSN argued that CAN is not a stakeholder in northern education policies and stated that governments are not obligated to seek external approval for decisions affecting schools. It commended state governments for prioritizing student welfare and encouraged other northern states to adopt similar policies.
Meanwhile, the decision has sparked debates across various quarters. Critics, including CAN and some private school owners, argue that such closures disrupt education in a region already struggling with high rates of out-of-school children.
