The representative of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President who has been leading the battle to get the Federal Government to enforce the teaching of Christian Religion Knowledge (CRK) and Islamic Religious Knowledge (IRK) as separate subjects under the nine years Basic Education curriculum, Prof. Charles Adisa, has commended the government, but with a caveat.
His words: “First good step. Next is implementation at state level by employing Teachers for both religious studies. Then NUC to reverse the Arabic language (matter). We are grateful to God Almighty for His help so far. However, it is not yet Uhuru. Christian seek ye not repose is the song/warning of our predecessors in faith.”
Last Thursday, the federal government bowed to pressure and directed the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) to separate the two subjects in the curriculum.
The lumping of IRK and CRK under the Civil Education in the new curriculum by the NERDC had generated controversy in the last few months with religious leaders calling for their separation.
Education Minister, Adamu Adamu, issued the order when he met education stakeholders from six geo-political zones and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja on Thursday.
Those that were at the meeting were Commissioners for Education from States, and is part of efforts to strengthen the partnership within the three tiers of government in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals 4.
Recall that the Sultan of Sokoto, Dr. Muhammad Abubakar, dismissed reports, following a rash of complaints by groups, that there were plans to Islamise Nigeria, stressing that there is no attempt to force Islamic Religious Knowledge, IRK on Christian students.
Abubakar spoke at a national symposium and launching of 2025 Vision by Da’awah Coordination Council of Nigeria.
