The chairman of, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State Chapter and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Reverend (Dr) Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, in this interview with ADELOWO OLADIPO, speaks on the importance of Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) as a subject of study, and its re-introduction into Niger State education curriculum.
Some think that the increase in unemployment in the country has contributed to the growing crime rates. How can this be resolved?
I believe that if our youths and women are empowered with various skills and, of course, monetary support, they can fish on their own instead of their over-reliance on government. There are so many widows, displaced persons, and jobless youths across the country and one of the best things to do is to empower them with various skills so that they can be useful to themselves and society. It is worth noting that one of the best ways to tackle youth restiveness, drug abuse, waywardness, disrespect, and other vices in society is to teach our children the way of God so that they are not influenced by worldly affairs.
What do you think is the best way to achieve that sir?
It is to first appeal to the government, especially in Niger State, to address this issue of Christian Religion Knowledge (CRK) as a subject because it is also in their best interest. The last time I checked, I observed that teaching CRK in both primary and secondary schools and even tertiary institutions has become an issue in the state. And so, I asked, who is afraid of CRK? I discovered that most of the schools do not have teachers, even the state-owned College of Education, ( COE), Minna which should produce CRK teachers, does not have a large number of students, because some of these students are not encouraged to apply to study CRK mainly because after graduation they fear that they may not get employment and so they go for other subjects.
How long has the issue of CRK been?
For a long time now. There has been a running battle between successive governments in the state and CAN since 2003 over the issue of employment of CRK teachers in all public schools in the state. As far 2004 when there were about 152 public schools, we had only 120 CRK teachers in the state. In 2004, when Niger hosted the National Conference of CRK Teachers, the statistics given to us by the government was 220 CRK teachers, including non-qualified teachers for over 450 schools. According to the 2016 data, the state needed about 300 CRK teachers for the over 300 schools in the state. But as of today, most of the CRK teachers have either retired or some of them who are still in active service have been converted to teach either Social Studies or any other subjects if they must remain relevant.
We all know that recruitment processes are not just by political pronouncements, but through laid down prescribed procedures. The Ministry of Education and the State Civil Service Commission are the statutory organs that can proclaim such matters. Has CAN as a body met or taken advocacy to them?
Yes, of course! My predecessors have done that too. What we are doing now is a follow-up and a passionate appeal to the government in Niger State, which include the Ministry of Basic Education, Tertiary, the CSC, Niger State Universal Basic Education (NSUBEB) and of course, our dear governor to do the needful in ensuring that Christian teachers are employed and allowed to teach their religion to their students in the institutions of learning.
What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. My prayer is that Governor Umar Bago, who went through the missionary school, can attest to the fact that Christian Religious Knowledge if allowed in schools will help reshape our children and the society at large.
Why is it important to study CRK?
With the rate at which our youths and children are going, it shows that there is moral decadence and society is going for it. But CRK as a subject, will provide them (children) with more opportunities to learn more about God and thereby develop their faith in God. CRK stands as manual students, that youths hold on to, for assistance in developing their Christian attitude and moral values like humility, respect, love, and justice, good leadership, and so on. CRK emerged as a subject of prime importance in Nigerian schools. Its value in the school curriculum is unique amongst other subjects. The teaching of CRK in Nigeria dates back to the, first half of the 19th century when the Missionaries established the first school in Badagry in 1842. This form of education spread to the North in the early 19th century and it was taught in schools.
During this period missionaries like the Catholic, Church Missionary Society (CMS), and Methodists were the proprietors of schools and the essence of teaching CRK was for academic, moral, civil, good character, sound attitude, and spiritual purposes. In Niger State, the story is different as CRK is becoming oblivious but with the current government led by Governor Umar Bago, who went through the missionary school and knows the importance and benefits of CRK, I am hopeful that the right thing will be done and our society will be better for it.
Recently, Niger State hosted the 45th National Conference of the National Association of Christian Religious Educators in Nigeria (NACREN), of what importance was it to CAN?
It was very important to us as a state. We had the permanent secretary of the Basic Education Board, Bureau of Religious Affairs, Students, and teachers in attendance. With the various paper presentations and discussions I am very optimistic that CRK will see the light of the day.
The government needs to listen and act to several calls by the Christian body and other stakeholders by reinstating the teaching of Christian Religious Knowledge Studies (CRK) in public schools across the state.
However, the government directed that CAN alongside major stakeholders come up with a template and a committee has been set up to that effect. Recently, during the North Central Biennial convention of the Women Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN) in Minna, the governor through his Special Adviser Public Private Partnership (PPP), Honourable Jonathan Vatsa, disclosed that arrangements have been concluded for the recruitment of CRK teachers.
What is your call on Christians and the government?
At this moment, it is time to pray and face reality. This is the time for us, Christians, particularly in Nigeria, to be hopeful, steadfast, and prayerful so that our dear state and the nation at large would overcome the present challenges.
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