School Curriculum: Why Reps returned CRK as independent subject

                                                       House of Representatives
The House of Representatives yesterday jettisoned the government policy which subsumed Christian Religious Knowledge, CRK, in Civic Education as a compulsory subject in secondary school curriculum. This followed a motion, titled “Call to make Civic Education an optional instead of a compulsory subject for Senior Certificate Examination”, by Beni Lar from Plateau State. The members after an exhaustive debate on the motion at plenary, agreed that the policy was incongruent with the spirit and letters of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) on the provision of religious liberties.

The members agreed that students with the inputs of their parents at formative years should be taught the religious subjects of their choice in school. Essentially, the House, while pointing out that policy makers erred abs initio in tampering with the existing policy, also agreed that Islamic Studies and CRK should be taught independently and separately in the spirit of the constitution. It will be recalled that the issue recently became a subject of controversy which pitted Christians in the country against the government.

Moving the motion, Lar noted: “Under the previous Secondary School Curriculum which brought a lot of discontentment, Civic Education was not a compulsory subject and religious education was taught as Islamic Religious Knowledge (IRK) and Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK), both of which were optional subjects.

“The Federal Ministry of Education introduced a revised curriculum without due consultation with parents and stakeholders and the new nine-year Basic Education Curriculum on Religion and National Values Consolidated Religious Education and Civic Education under National Values and made Civic Education a compulsory subject for Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations.”

The lawmaker also observed that the “curriculum for primary one to three, which is the formative stage of a child does not provide for adequate teaching of the religious beliefs of the people but rather destructive half-truths which destroy the fundamental beliefs and erodes the essence of such religion being taught the children.” Expressing concern that the new curriculum was in conflict with certain religious beliefs, Lar submitted: “Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution makes Nigeria a secular state and, therefore, Religion should be separated from national values.”

Supporting the motion, the Majority Leader of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila from Lagos State, stated that the new policy was against the provision of the constitution. “Any law or policy that restricts freedom should be guided. You cannot teach a little child against his or her believes. When there is a policy of government that goes against our constitution, such policy should be fought against by this House. Religion is a very significant and delicate issue, we must be very careful and be guided. “Freedom is key. Any law or policy that restricts that policy is what we must act against. Religion is a way of life. You cannot instruct a child in two cultures,’’ he said.

Also contributing, Ben Nwankwo ( Imo state- PDP) said “ the Ministry of Education should be mindful of the content of the country’s educational curriculum, it goes a long way to affect children positively or negatively.”

Similarly, Okey Jev (Benue- APC) on his part, said: “I am just wondering how we combine both religion and make it compulsory, considering the religious sensitivity of this country where some people kill in the name of religion.’’ Quoting section 31(1and 2) of the constitution, Johnson Egbonniyma/Edo- (PDP) said the constitution stated it clear that children should not be taught any thing outside the approval of parents or guidance. Rita Orji (Lagos, PDP) said: “This is a complete confusion to children in school. Looking at the curriculum, it is already compulsory for students to undertake religion that they are not practicing from home. ‘’I am begging this Honorable House to save this nation and call on the Ministry of Education to withdraw this curriculum.” Lending his support to the motion also, Aminu Shehu Shagari ( Sokoto), stated: “The intended curriculum coming to effect from September should be carefully looked into, especially as it has to do with religion. We should be careful to take decisions that deal with sensitive matters. “Any law that is inconsistent with the constitution is null and void. Our constitution says you are free to practice whatever religion or not to practice at all.” Attempt by Aisha Dukku to call for a setting up of a stakeholders’ forum for further consultation on the matter was shouted down by the lawmakers.

Shortly before he gave his ruling on the matter, the presiding officer of the House and Deputy Speaker, Yusuf Lasun, faulted the policy. “This policy is completely wrong. If the Ministry of Education had studied our constitution carefully, it wouldn’t have come up with such policy that is totally against freedom of religion.” he stated. Adhering to the prayers of the motion, Lasun ruled that the Federal Ministry of Education should make Civic Education compulsory, remove the religious components and teach both IRS and CRK separately and independently.