FG denies merger of Islamic, Christian Religious Studies

THE Federal Government has denied  the allegation that  Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) and Christian Religious Studies (CRK), subjects in secondary schools, have been merged.

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, has accordingly, directed that the teaching of the two subjects in secondary schools  must be done as separate subjects.

The minister said the directive has become necessary following weeks of speculations in the social and conventional media networks across the country that the two subjects have been merged into one.

This was contained in a statement by the deputy director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education , Abuja.

The minister clarified that there was no compulsion in the study of the two religions and that secondary school students are at liberty to choose any of the two subjects, depending on their religious leanings.

According to the minister, the confusion was created by a publisher, who produced a book on the subjects, combining Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) and Christian Religious Studies (CRK), which is being used in some private secondary schools.

For the avoidance of doubt, the minister said CRK and IRS, have remained separate subjects in the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO).

The minister, therefore, advised members of  public to ignore the   false information.