₦airaland Forum

lilytender:

Atiku2019: :
No wonder GEJ lost his re-election bid....

The likes of Reno should have been an aide to a local government chairman.

Stop insulting Local Government Chairmen. Reno is only good for the job of the village town crier.

You both are wicked me o..... but of a truth, Reno tops the icing on a stupidity

kpaofame:
talking from experience of 15+ years ago...It is well ooo.. actually when/where i served 2 years ago, there were issues like students been out of class during IRS and CRK classes saying they dont offer it...

The thing is that if IRS teacher is in class all CRK students will go to the back or go outside...CRK teacher cant teach them cause there is no class for them to use and vice versa...but for some classes that have more than one arms...All offering IRS can move to one class and others move to another class and they are taught simultaneously which is the idea situation but not obtaining in the two public schools around me then...

...Your explanation is not too clear, but from the little I can glean from it, the issue of logistics arrangements is left for the principal of the school.....or do you expect the Minister of Education to come down to your school to organise class arrangements and time table?

cristianisraeli:
mr mapet..u say theres no religious tension in nigeria and u call me and the lady unintelligent..well,,check this link below and tell me what thats called...grammar does not make u intelligent man or trying to tell us islamic and arabic are 2 different stuffs is highly unintelligent..so i guess we know whos unintelligent now... a churche and mosque burnt in rives state..now whats what called??am waiting

https://www.nairaland.com/3873351/rivers-indigenes-hausa-clash-onne

context! Context!! Context!!!

I cannot help you beyond this

cristianisraeli:
thank u for giving mr mapet this phd lecture that he truly needed so badly..atleast u wont say this is unintelligent..LOL

....this is very good of you, stand by the sidelines and watch how intellectual engagement beyond your reasoning capacity takes place

See my answers in Red

dyydxx:

I never said it was a new introduction, infact I am not disputing it. it's instructive you don't really know the criteria for them settling on Arabic, even if it's been there since the 80s or 60s sef. That it is not a new introduction doesn't mean we can't call into question the reason it is put there.

This is a needless argument if you have understood my explanation earlier on. Why is Arabic a language of study in Nigerian Schools? Simply because those that deemed it necessary to their curriculum made a case for it and got it approved....just like French and any of the Nigerian languages. Expecting me to give you micro details beyond this is useless. But if you want insights, it is credible enough that at the time delegates representing a substantial number of the people made a case, articulated and justified it.


So what then are the other criterias? You still haven't been able to come up with the reason for choosing Arabic. I can tell you authoritatively the reason for choosing french is because Nigeria is surrounded by francophone countries in its region. it makes logical sense to study french and not Portuguese or italian.
You can tell me authoritatively? based on your spoken words alone? Pls, spare me a rhetoric that falls flat and not well researched. Going by your reasoning should we then limit the languages taught in schools to only those in close proximity to us,as of the objective is to relate only with immediate neighours.


Arabic is the lingua franca of the Islamic world. If this statement is false please show with proof that I am lieing. PERIOD While it is true that there are arabic christians or Jews and non muslims use it, it is the language for the islamic faithful. it is the essence of the religion. You can't be a muslim without a rudimentary understanding of arabic. Offcourse, if you are operating in the middle east where over 99% of the people speak arabic to do anything there you need to be able to speak the language. This is a moot point since you have to interact with the locals. As for evangelism, good luck in Saudi Arabia where if caught you will be beheaded. I don't know about Libya but Libya is currently unstable with no kind of Government there as at today.

Is the fact that Arabic is spoken in the Islamic world any argument? Does the fact that Arabic being the Liturgical language of Islam make it any less a standard language? But you only need to read up about Arabic Language (I suggest Wikipedia for starters) and see that your view is utterly limited

it's simple. Arabic is the lingua franca of the islamic world. You can learn IRK without going deep into Arabic, but with Arabic it cements your understanding and makes it easy to go deeper into the religion. This is very obvious. They go together. Good, so arabic was put there with the middle east in mind, creating closer ties with the arabs. If it's not for religious and cultural reasons, what's the purpose. I'm glad you have admitted this. Like I said it makes perfect sense to be able to communicate with your neighbours. If Nigeria were surrounded by Arabic countries I wont be having this discussion with you.

Since you limited yourself to seeing proximity as the only criteria for Language subject (ridiculous in itself), hence you're needlessly elongating a needless argument. Let me thread this part of yours to further debunk your assertion. In these Francophone countries, Arabic is actually co-official language - Chad & Djibouti. It is Official language in Niger, Mali, Senegal and even South Sudan. So going by your view (that French as a subject is chosen because it is spoken by neighboring countries) and in this context, how is Arabic language any different from French? Record has it that Arabic is spoken in African more than French


This is where you are wrong. English is not the lingua franca of the christian world. Infact, the scriptures were not written in English. The scriptures were written in Hebrew and Greek. The Old testament was written in Hebrew, which is a Jewish Language and the New testament was written in Greek. It was later translated to English and all other languages, including arabic and the likes. So it's not like English helps Christianity.

I never said English is the lingua franca of the Christian world (whatever that means). But tell me, when Christianity was brought Nigeria, was it brought to you in Hebrew or Greek? When CMS came and introduced western education in Nigeria, were they done in Hebrew? Tell me how English has not "helped" Christianity?

On the face this seems harmless and I am inclined to agree with you. But considering the suspicion of the Islamic fundamentalist that have so far been the one in power most times in Nigeria and there subtle ways to islamise the country, one needs to be very observant of any processes that want to distrupt the secular nature of the entity called Nigeria. When Babangida registered Nigeria as a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, violating the secular nature of the country he did it subtly with no Government Gazette. Nigeria is still a member till date. The goal of the islamic fundamentalist is to effect an islamic takeover of the country Nigeria and impose Sharia Law and the only reason this hasn't happened yet is because they lack the population to do it. So we need to be careful. Arabic studies that further cements Islam in a secular nation like Nigeria is sowing the seeds for a subtle take over and imposition of Islamic Law on the whole country.

You know what. I want to limit my argument here to facts and not conjectures and suspicions. The OIC and related issues I will discuss under another premise. Trying to bring it into this and making it seem a credible argument falls flat here. Arabic Studies in schools predated our joining OIC. Besides I can not argue perceived intentions when Christians also legitimately have theirs.

Spanish is the 2nd most spoken Language in the world in terms of native speakers while Mandarain is the First. In terms of globalisation those are my reasons for proposing those subjects. There is no purpose for arabic apart from forging ties with the middle east. why not forge ties with China or Brazil or the global and emerging superpowers like Russia and the rest. why the Middle East?
Perspectives! again. Yes it is desirable to have Spanish in our curriculum. I for one will want my children to learn at least two other international language. But what I see you do is interpreting Data to suite your whims. Ok let's flip again, data also says Arabic is actually the second most spoken language in Africa (According to http://www.africaranking.com/most-spoken-languages-in-africa/5/), and the 4th most spoken language in the world (according to http://www.photius.com/rankings/languages2.html) much more than French. Does this not validate the need to put it in the curriculum?



I will repeat for the umpteenth time, Arabic is the lingua franca of the islamic world. Arabic is the liturgical language of Islam. Feel free to correct me if i have made false statements with my claims.

It is optional, but why is there in the first instance...why don't we have french and spanish or french and swahili? we agree a second language increases potential to compete and forge ties. We are only wondering why it's arabic of all the plethora of languages available in the world
You are wondering why the top most spoken language in Africa other than English and one to the top 5 spoken language in the world is in the curriculum?

Charly68:
This people are just too erratic and uncoordinated.. All this last minutes explanations ought to have been done to sensitize the public beforehand...they thought we are still in the dark age unknown to them that even the things they are doing in their bed room is captured by satellite

....yet you could not use internet to check the website of NERDC to know what they are doing?

udumosam23:

papiforreal: :


You stupid do we have enough instructors for other languages like Spanish and Hebrew in the country.or you mean fg should start sending people to those countries to study the languages. The last time I checked all these languages are not even significant. Student don't even give attention to them because they know they can get admission with, or with out it.

No I'm not. Sure we do have instructors for other languages. Hebrew & Greek is to Christians as Arabic is to Muslims. Any learned cleric can teach either.

They can also include Chinese and Portuguese which are more professional and business inclined. Get it?

I can now confirm papiforreal is right

successman1234:
when i was in school, i dont remember arabic standing alone as a subject.

Arabic and islamic studies are supposed to go together, after all it is the alfas in the mosque that teach arabic.

it is suppose to be islamic studies and arabic.

Not arabic as a stand alone.

Religion is a very sensitive matter in this part of the world, i hope the people making changes, know exactly what they are doing?

Bros,

This is blatant falsehood. Arabic as a language study had always a stand alone subject since the 80s

cristianisraeli:
the problem u have is thinking u know better than everyone...wetin grammar don bring u...i can make my case online..it can always start from somewhere b4 we march down there..revolution always start from somewhere capish....tell us are u christian or muslim

arabic is islam and islam is arabic,ok.....ur phd grammar cant change history

1. It is when you are incapable of making intelligent arguement then you resort to statements like

wetin grammar don bring u.....

2. Do I need to be a Muslim to make rational submissions on the discussion in context?

enigma2007:

udumosam23: :
The problem is not in the merging of subjects into civil and national values. schools can determine which religion to teach in place of the other.

The problem lies with the seventh subject. Either Arabic or French. Now the question is why Arabic? Why not any other foreign language.

There are more important languages than Arabic which as far as I'm concerned is not different from Islam.

Students will be left with no option than to sturdy Arabic in place of French because of the limited number of French teachers across the country as compared to Arabic that every Muslim can teach.

The solution is, if you must bring in Arabic, then increase the number of optional languages to balance the odd. It won't be wrong bringing in Hebrew, Greek or Latin to correspond the slide.

Learning Arabic is not a bad idea. Its also a language of Commerce.. I am a Christian and learning Arabic (work related) and it doesnt compromise my values as a Christian..

Arabic as a language had always been way before Christianity and Islam...

My cousin as a top executive at Nestle was posted to Dubai and Iran. Nestle has a program that facilitate staff posted to those places to learn Arabic

cristianisraeli:
LOL..she doesnt sound unintelligent to me..she was just trying to figure out where u get ur news from because shes shocked to hear someone saying theres no religious tension in nigeria....the point is ...if u like speak on PHD level...

arabic shouldnt be an alternative...PERIOD

obviously that needs no telling.....you both have the same level of intelligence

cristianisraeli:
just like i said ur big grammar wont move me bro....islamic and arabic are the same..can u please understand it for once...the people that brought arabic into this world were MUSLIMS...i guess u didnt know that..am making my case online and am glad people like u that have access to the summit can help us out.LOL...

yes we dont want arabic and [b]WE [/b]are the southerns and some northern christians as well....first it would be arabic and next it would be dont build churches just mosques..look we are wider now...this is 2017

Keep demonstrating crude ignorance at your own peril.

1. Arabic as a language predated Islam
2. Does it make sense to make your case "online" when there are appropriate and defined quarters to make your "case"?

udumosam23:
The problem is not in the merging of subjects into civil and national values. schools can determine which religion to teach in place of the other.

The problem lies with the seventh subject. Either Arabic or French. Now the question is why Arabic? Why not any other foreign language.

There are more important languages than Arabic which as far as I'm concerned is not different from Islam.

Students will be left with no option than to sturdy Arabic in place of French because of the limited number of French teachers across the country as compared to Arabic that every Muslim can teach.

The solution is, if you must bring in Arabic, then increase the number of optional languages to balance the odd. It won't be wrong bringing in Hebrew, Greek or Latin to correspond the slide.

....and what data supports this statement in bold....or you just conjured this

cristianisraeli:
u say

Islamic religious study is not an alternative option to French. This is the lie CAN, Reno and FFK has been feeding people. Arabic Studies is the alternate to French.

whats the difference between islamic religious study and arabic studies...for goodness sakes?please tell us..if u like blow and blow grammar..am not moved...all i know is that we should have had something else...100million people speak swahili in africa...why not swahilii...we dont want arabic as an alternative to anything..stealth jihad always start like that..first its arabic and next it would be compulsory to study it...nigerians dont want to hear arabic and thats the point..no one cares about FFK AND RENO...

When you choose to make simple things difficult, how can I help you or your understanding
1. IRS is a religious study, Arabic Study is a language study.....simple
2. @bolded part? is that an intelligent argument?
3. Why not Swahili? then attend the next National Educational Summit and make a case for it
4. "We" don't want Arabic....? who are the "we"? better still at the next educational summit make a case

Beyond this point, you're wasting my time

cristianisraeli:
mr mapet a lady responded to u...where do u get ur news from is it iyabiliki...LOL..because u live in the south of nigeria i guess and u think theres no religious tension in nigeria and around the world..read the real news bro

Unfortunately I speak in context and seems you don't get it. Do you need me to make statement at basic level all the time? There was no tension until Reno, FFK and CAN stirred it up, especially when they falsified facts. That in itself is dishonest and dishonourable.

Secondly I have low tolerance for uncouth and unintelligent "ladies"

magoo10:
You should answer all the questions because you are now the govts spokesman. I have just read a response from the govt and they were sounding more confused .as they have made to know that the subject is still being taught .whatever the case be let it end there because I don't discuss with people who use abusive languages

...and you expect me to respond to senseless statements?

cristianisraeli:
u see that place i highligted..those are lies man...i guess u dont know whats happening around the world...u dare not do ur missonary stuff in saudi arabia..or even carry a bible...the person would be jailed or killed..can u please tell us if ur a muslim or christian..lets know how to direct our message to u

Check this http://nematoday.org/vision5015/missions.php?gotopage=index

magoo10:
thanks for the numerous information's given and I don't doubt your veracity in the area of discuss. but then why is it that there hasn't been a cry about this since Jonathan adopted it or implemented it as you said ,why are people just crying now if it has been happening since or did the present govt adopt it now so that when people start crying they will say 'ha it is not us o it is oga Jonathan who adopted it' so every body will start saying crucify Jonathan crucify Jonathan just as we have been hearing for the past two years.

1. There is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING wrong with the new curriculum
2. GEJ did not only the natural thing(endorse it) but the right thing in doing so. Everywhere in the world, the academic curriculum is reviewed and improved upon. It is absurd that we stay static and not improve our educational system
3. Why the cry now? Simple! the people that are crying now (especially the Renos, FFK and CAN president of this world) are the people that have agenda. The big question is why would people who served in GEJ's government where this policy was developed be the ones falsifying facts?
4. The present government can only do the natural thing. The policy is good, workable and should improve our educational system. Which government in her right senses will not implement it? Mind you another review is due in 2019.
5.

....or did the present govt adopt it now so that when people start crying they will say 'ha it is not us o it is oga Jonathan who adopted it' so every body will start saying crucify Jonathan crucify Jonathan just as we have been hearing for the past two years.

I cannot respond to this part because it is needless and useless to the progress of education. Uninformed people can come up with useless assumptions, there are times you just move on with implementation and let people see the results at the end of the day. The most important thing is that the Educational policy is to benefit the Nigerian Child/Student

dyydxx:
I'm yet to see an logical explanation as to why Arabic studies is the alternative to french if it's not to pacify the Islamic North. Please correct me with facts if I am wrong. What is the basis of having Arabic as an alternative Language to Learn considering the other Languages in the World. Nigeria is not surrounded by Arabic neighbours, if so we can understand. Also, Arabic is not the most spoken language in Africa as a whole. In West Africa, Arabic is also not the most spoken Language. What informed the decision to designate Arabic since the 1970s or whenever if it's not islamic minded or if there are no religious colouration to it?

A simple start is a region that has more than 50% population of Nigeria made a case for it and got it

dyydxx:
Thank you for your objective analysis. I love folks we can chat with dispassionately looking at the facts. Please there is a simple question I want to ask

1. what is the criteria for choosing Arabic? We can understand french, Nigeria is surrounding by french speaking neighbors. Arabic is only useful for the muslim faithful, it has a religious colouration or tint to it. Why would any policy leader choose a religiously charged subject in a supposedly Neutral country like Nigeria. We know there are arabic christians and arab jews, we know non muslim speak it but we also know it is the lingua franca of the islamic world. And since the North is majority Muslim, it is meant to help them assimilate and understand the religion. why should one make that kind of a policy in a religiously charged country like Nigeria that is supposed to be Neutral. A policy that ony helps one religion but not the others. Why didn't they add hebrew or Greek too and make it wide ranging.

2. To also see the cynicism in the policy, they didn't add other languages like Spanish, Swahili, German or Cantonese/Mandarin. Only french and Arabic and they are saying it's for the good of the country.

Can you respond to this please. Looking at the facts, Arabic is not the most spoken language in Africa or the World. Off what purpose is the Arabic Language to a Nigerian student if not to entrench and propagate islam

My Bros,

Let me put your question in perspective, hopefully you will see my answer.

1. Whatever was the criteria for choosing Arabic, it is instructive to note that Arabic has been a subject in the curriculum since the 80s to the best of my knowledge. So it is not a new introduction
2. You also need to understand how subjects are introduced into the students curriculum. I do not think "immediate surrounding" is the only criteria
3.

Arabic is only useful for the muslim faithful, it has a religious colouration or tint to it.

This statement is not factual....and I dare say it is just a reflection of your feelings/opinion. Arabic is useful and spoken by both muslim faithfuls and others. In the business world, many multinationals of western origin operating in the middle east have special language courses in Arabic for their expats. Arabic is useful to Christian, as knowledge of it enhances evangelism......and trust me on this, there are missionary move currently to evangelise the muslim world from Libya to the heart of Saudi Arabia
4.

And since the North is majority Muslim, it is meant to help them assimilate and understand the religion. why should one make that kind of a policy in a religiously charged country like Nigeria that is supposed to be Neutral. A policy that ony helps one religion but not the others

....How did you come to this misconstrued notion, with no factual reference? Since there is already provision for IRK, if there is anything to help Muslims "understand and assimilate the religion", logically is should be IRK. Arabic is a language just like any other language.....But let's flip this around, and ask of what use will French be to the northerners if their commerce orientation is drifted towards the Middle East? But you know what? Some of these Northerners also speak French because of their proximity to French speaking African countries (Niger & Cameroun)
5.

A policy that ony helps one religion but not the others. Why didn't they add hebrew or Greek too and make it wide ranging

. If going by your argument Arabic helps one religion (Islam) but not the others (Christianity for example), can we by the same token ask why do the policy retain English language which helps one religion (Christianity) but not the other (Islam). Perspectives! Perspectives!! Perspectives!!!

6............but that said, a bigger question is Arabic Studies in the curriculum has always been an optional subject. In this new curriculum it is one of the optional subjects in the maximum 2 elective course provisions. How as that hurt anybody? Even the Muslims can choose not to take Arabic. I remember in my school days, some Muslim students chose CRK as against IRK

7.

To also see the cynicism in the policy, they didn't add other languages like Spanish, Swahili, German or Cantonese/Mandarin. Only french and Arabic and they are saying it's for the good of the country.

This your proposal ideally passes through debates at break-out sessions during the National Educational Summit, where all the seasoned education professionals and leaders of thought in Education, National Policies and Business debate the relevance, viability, resource capacity and timing of any of the languages. My question to you is Do you want us to introduce Spanish, Swahili, German or Cantonese/Mandarin into our curriculum just to "counter-balance" Arabic or that it is absolutely relevant to our National Educational strategic objective?

8. Finally,

Can you respond to this please. Looking at the facts, Arabic is not the most spoken language in Africa or the World. Off what purpose is the Arabic Language to a Nigerian student if not to entrench and propagate islam

Well except you can show me stats that the objective of Arabic Studies is to propagate Islam, I will take this statement as not factual. Secondly, Arabic studies is optional..... therefore will be useful to those that opts to take it. Of what purpose is Arabic to Nigeria students? Simple, the knowledge of a second language increases their potential to compete in the International business, education and socio-cultural space.

This is the report from the International Centre for Investigative Reporting - Nigeria.
http://saharareporters.com/2017/06/20/fact-check-has-buhari-removed-christian-religious-studies-secondary-school-curriculum

Discussions about the “removal” of Christian Religious Studies (CRS) from Nigeria’s secondary school curriculum have been ongoing since June 14 when a delegation of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) paid a courtesy call on Acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the State House.


Nigerian secondary school students
ICIR Nigeria
During the visit, Samson Ayokunle, the CAN president, pointed out that whereas the new curriculum stipulates that CRS – also referred to as Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) – will no longer exist as a subject on its own, Islamic/Arabic Studies and French have been introduced.

Ayokunle told Osinbajo that the curriculum had earlier been dropped by the ministry of education after CAN raised objections. He however expressed surprise that the same curriculum had resurfaced.

“This curriculum is the brain-child of Nigerian Educational Research Council, an agency of the Federal Ministry of Education. To us in CAN, its introduction is an ill-wind that blows nobody any good for so many reasons,” he had said.

THE GENESIS


Ismail Junaidu
ICIR Nigeria
The curriculum, which has now assumed national importance all of a sudden, actually took effect from the beginning of 2015 as announced by Ismail Junaidu, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), a parastatal of the federal ministry of education.

This means that it was drafted and approved by the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

The education ministry explained that a new curriculum was introduced to prune down the number of subjects offered by primary and secondary school students in accordance with international best practices.

Among other things, a new subject called Religion and National Values (RNV) was introduced in the new curriculum, comprising Christian Religious Studies (CRS) and Islamic Religious Studies (IRS), Civic Education, Social Studies, and Security Education.

All these used to be separate subjects on their own, except Security Education, which was newly introduced as a result of the challenges of the Boko Haram insurgency.

SO, WHAT IS THE MATTER?

Harmless and innovative as the idea may sound, religious leaders from both the Christian and Muslim divides think it is a bad idea to merge CRS and IRS.

They feel both should remain separate entities as they have always been and let children be taught the religion of their parents instead of forcing a Muslim child, for instance, to take CRS lessons or vice versa.


Nicholas Okoh, Primate of the Anglican Church in Nigeria
ICIR Nigeria
According to Nicholas Okoh, Primate of the Anglican Church in Nigeria, the ministry of education has no right to merge both subjects into one. “We recognize our differences, but we call for unity … Let Muslims be Muslims and Christians be Christians,” the clergy man was quoted as saying in May.

This was strongly supported by Ralph Madura, a priest and the secretary-general of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), who said that that the so-called merger “would create confusion”.

“Every right-thinking person knows that religion is a very sensitive issue in this country,” he added.

Lakin Akintola of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), the new curriculum reduces the role of religion in national development.

According to him, by merging the study of the two biggest religions in the country, FG is simply telling the kids that religion does not matter.

“If the Federal Government educates Nigerians without a special place for religion,” he warns, “it will only succeed in producing clever devils.”

FACT


Screenshot of the NERDC website
ICIR Nigeria
According to the new curriculum as published on the website of NERDC, the subjects to be offered by students include: English, Mathematics, Nigerian Languages, Basic Science and Technology (BST), Religion and National Values (RNV), Cultural and Creative Arts, CCA, and Arabic.

Under RNV it is stated as follows:

Listed components will serve as themes in the Religion and National Values Curriculum
Contents are planned for all children to take Social Studies, Civic Education and Security Education themes
Separate classes should be run for CRS theme and IS theme
Consumer Education, Disaster Risk Reduction Education and Peace and Conflict Resolution curricula are infused into the Civic Education, Social Studies and Security Education Themes.
Create enabling environment for the subject in all schools
Also in the curriculum, Arabic was marked as “optional”.

Also, Junaidu had explained, on many occasions, the so-called merging of CRS and IRS.

He blamed the unnecessary fuss over the issue on the “ignorant and greedy publishers” of the text books for the subjects.

“In all, we have not changed the contents; the contents are intact,” he said.

“I wouldn’t like to use the word merged, because when you use the word, merging, it would look like you are taking them (both CRS and IRS) as one.

“As far as the listing is concerned, they are standing as distinct courses, but merged under one subject listing.

“In each of these, we made provisions for periods to be set aside for teaching CRS, we have periods set aside for IRS, and we have periods set aside for teaching Social Studies.

“When we developed the curriculum, we also developed the teachers’ guide; and each of these teachers’ guide is separate.”

BOTTOM LINE


Catholic Cardinal John Onaiyekan and Muslim Imam Ustaz Muhammad march together at #BBOG protest
ICIR Nigeria
Religion is no doubt a very delicate issue in Nigeria, much more delicate than even tribal sentiments, hence caution should be applied when dealing with such issues.

Criticism of the new curriculum by Christian and Muslim leaders suggests that adequate consultation was not carried out during the formulation of the policy.

Nigerians remain divided on whether the new curriculum should be reviewed again to reflect some important subjects – history for instance – that were surreptitiously expunged years ago.

Some say the teaching of core religion should be left for the churches and the mosques but many feel a better approach ought to have been adopted by the government before announcing the new curriculum.

And as the brouhaha continues, the words of Wole Soyinka, the noble laureate, came readily to mind, that “If we do not tame religion in Nigeria, religion will kill us.”

CONCLUSION

Has Buhari removed Christian Religious Studies (CRS) from the curriculum, as currently being bandied about on social media?

The answer is NO. What is in place is a course comprising both Christian and Islamic themes with the teaching of national values.

This report was written by Kingsley Obiejesi of the International Centre for Investigative Reporting - Nigeria.

cristianisraeli:
just look at this mumu way no day read or watch news or no wetin they go on around the world..u wont even know what religious tension is called even when it hits u in the face

Sure, I do know religious tension and I can also separate it from stirring up unnecessary lies to cause religious tension...... so take your pick

larrybee2017:
E ya hope you are OK now, cause I can see you don't seem to be when you type this trash. Do you even read newspapers or you are the type who pick info from iya biliki?

Unfortunately, you come way too low.....in intellect, as such where do I start from to engage you?

magoo10:
thanks for the info but its not complete,i need a link where these changes were outrightly spelt out. are you also telling me that all these individuals shouting foul don't have the correct info at their palms,fani kayode and reno omokri were members of Jonathan administration, are you telling me you have enough info than them regards this issue?
when you say Jonathan endorsed it did you mean the decision was passed to him for endorsement or he had already endorsed it?
was it to be endorsed on pry sec school level or the higher institutions?
In a circular state as Nigeria where there is two major religion as Christians and Muslims don't you think there are bound to be agitations of this nature when one religions study as such as islamic religious study is chosen with a French subject as option and vise versa?
Lastly you said people dont read before joining the band wagon ,is there anywhere in the post where education summit of 2014 was mentioned?

Hmm........ Ok I will painstakingly take time to answer your questions

1. If you need a link where it is outrightly spelt out, the latest one I believe are these;
(a) http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/234607-nigerian-govt-reacts-controversy-alleged-de-listing-christian-islamic-subjects.html#.WUlzgvR2GHA.twitter
(b) http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/06/nerdc-says-crk-not-removed-from-schools-curriculum/
(c) http://pubs.sciepub.com/education/3/1/7/

Much more importantly let me lift some clear statements from the reports

“The Management of NERDC hereby reiterates categorically and unequivocally to all Nigerians that the subject offerings (Civic Education, Social Studies, Christian Religious Knowledge, Islamic Studies and Security Education) under the Religion and National Values Curriculum are distinct.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/06/nerdc-says-crk-not-removed-from-schools-curriculum/

“We have developed a curriculum on Religion and National Values to expose pupils to see relationship between moral values – which entails religion, social values – and civic values,” Mrs. Nwufo said.
She said the NERDC developed the curriculum in partnership with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission.

The latest curriculum was adopted in 2012 under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan and is not due for review until 2019, the acting executive secretary said.

Mrs. Nwufo said “teachers across the country have been adequately trained” on how to use the curriculum.
“A teachers’ guide was also handed to them.” she added
She further stated that even then, religious subjects were never directed to be taught together, they are to be taught by different teachers and at different times.

She said CAN was part of the committee that designed the latest curriculum alongside other Islamic leaders.
“We wrote to CAN and they presented two candidates to us in persons of Ray Chukwura of ECWA Goodnews and Dominick Oleagbe from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria,” she claimed.

I also encourage you to use google to search and download the report of the 2012 National Education Summit, it will be very voluminous tho, but if you can take the pains.

Now to your questions pointedly
1.

are you also telling me that all these individuals shouting foul don't have the correct info at their palms,fani kayode and reno omokri were members of Jonathan administration, are you telling me you have enough info than them regards this issue?

Well, judging from the weight of evidence I have supplied and much more still available, these are questions you should direct to these people. I am concerned that Nigerians are such gullible people that we rely on what is "thrown" at us without crtitically reviewing the authenticity of it. Reno Omokri had an antecedent of spreading falsehood. It was he who was found out to have sent a false news about SLS to BBC, VOA etc under the fake name "Wendel Simlin", allegedly linking SLS to Boko Haram. When he was confronted with evidence (The metadata of the document showing his true name, his computer at Aso Rock and ip addresses all coming from Aso Rock) till date he has not denied it. Pray tell, what intellectual accumen has FFK demonstrated to you in the past that suggest he is an authority of sort? His write-ups is shallow to me, factually incorrect most of the times and mostly stirring up ethnic hatred. CAN on the other hand had gone to the dogs since the days of Ayo Oritsejafor. His present stooge is not any better....... so naturally when you see such people making assertive statements, you need to check the authenticity of it

when you say Jonathan endorsed it did you mean the decision was passed to him for endorsement or he had already endorsed it?
was it to be endorsed on pry sec school level or the higher institutions?

Educational curriculum are reviewed I think every 5-10 years. The recommendations are passed to the President for approval. Once the president approves, it is ready for execution. GEJ was the president then. I think you should familiarise yourself with NERDC website http://nerdc.org.ng/eCurriculum/CurriculumStructure.aspx so that you don't ask questions on issues that answers are already provided

In a circular state as Nigeria where there is two major religion as Christians and Muslims don't you think there are bound to be agitations of this nature when one religions study as such as islamic religious study is chosen with a French subject as option and vise versa?

Sincerely my answers to you on this point are these;

1. Islamic religious study is not an alternative option to French. This is the lie CAN, Reno and FFK has been feeding people. Arabic Studies is the alternate to French. In fact one of the trio also try to cunningly confuse people by calling it Islamic Arabic Studies
2. I don't know how old you are..... I started my secondary education in 1988/89. I got into secondary school about the time 6334 system of education started. Right from that time Arabic studies had been the alternate option with French. It was never a problem then.......
3. Arabic as a language predated Islam. It is spoken in the middle east and even some part of Israel.
3. We Christian are shooting ourselves in the foot with unnecessary ignorance. The world is so diverse and people with knowledge of second and third languages have the leverage to advance in career and business better than others. We translate bible into Arabic languages to spread the gospel, yet we are opposing having it in the curriculum, even when it is not infringing on our rights.

Lastly you said people dont read before joining the band wagon ,is there anywhere in the post where education summit of 2014 was mentioned?

Definitely, if people had gone to the records and not rely on NL posters many of whom are naiive and ignorant, then you would have found out the origin of the what birthed the new curriculum

philips70:
This is what you mean. Nevertheless, FFK, Reno and Apostle must do their jobs

What "jobs" if I may ask? leading people astray?

chloride6:
Who was the genius who thought it wise to implement such a policy in the middle of the current religious tension?

There is no current religious tension. It is ignorant people like you that fall for the whims and caprices of politicians like Reno and FFK who thrive on confusion

magoo10:
but why will the govt even make such a move, sometimes this govt makes one to feel that they have a pre conceived idea to destabilize Nigeria.
this is a case of one bewitching himself. yet there is a vice president who is not just a christian but a pastor

1. The move was made by GEJ's government. The Educational Summit that made the recommendation was in 2014. GEJ endorsed it for execution before he left
2. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the new arrangement. It is just share laziness that people will not read before joinning the bandwagon to comment

AntiWailer:
These eediots always shooting themselves in the foot.


Why remove a major religion and leave the other.

I honestly support removing the 2 because we are a secular state.


The Islamization team will soon surface.

You obviously join the Islamization team. I would have expected you to use google and not rely on uninformed posts of dumb idiotas!

http://www.nerdc.org.ng/eCurriculum/CurriculumSTructure.aspx

WotzupNG:
https://twitter.com/renoomokri/status/876557665828167680
https://twitter.com/realFFK/status/876756025583513601
https://twitter.com/realFFK/status/876102044012163072

The new school curriculum is really generating a lot of heat as many prominent Nigerians are speaking up against it. The curriculum removes Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) from schools and made its study as only a theme, while it Introduces Islamic Arabic Studies alongside French as subjects.

With the new arrangement, a pupil would have to study either of Islamic Arabic Studies or French, pointing out that the end result is that a Christian student will be left with no option than to settle for Islamic Arabic Studies since French teachers are more or less non-existent in secondary schools. – thisday

CAN Chairman, Dr. Samson Ayokunle reacted



Apostle Johnson Suleman of the Omega Fire Ministries also lent his voice against what many see as an Islamization attempt on a secular Nigerian State.



Also Joining in the condemnation of the curriculum are Femi Fani-Kayode and Reno Omkri. This they did via twitter. Screenshots below


http://wotzup.ng/see-what-reno-omokri-and-ffk-tweeted-about-new-school-curriculum/

cc lalasticlala

The first person that needs to be address is this OP, with your low-grade blog/sub-website that will not take time to do proper research before posting and falsifying things that are in the public domain. I am coming to address the folly of CAN

1. @OP, Why did you not inform your readers that what is currently being implemented was the recommendation of an Educational Summit in 2014 made through National Educational in 2014 (NES 2014). That one of the recommendation of this summit was that students were taking too many subjects (15-18 in extreme cases) and this was affecting their performances in exams. The recommendation was that these subjects be reduced to a maximum 10 and minimum 8. The summit recommendation was endorsed for execution by GEJ.
http://thenationonlineng.net/at-the-national-education-summit-nes-2014-is-there-a-dividing-line-between-the-failing-nigerian-state-and-its-utterly-failed-educational-system-for-dipo-fasina-the-convener-of-nes-2014/
http://www.informationng.com/2014/10/ASUU-others-to-hold-education-summit-to-address-system-rot.html

2. Subjects were "affinity-grouped" together to be able to streamline them to the target maximum of 10. As such when subject as grouped like these, each of the former subjects are then classified into themes which the provision for students to pick their preferred theme. I think it is only reasonable and responsible that you report the truth, anything short is irresponsibility and senselessness. Both CRK and IRK are classified under various themes. Students can then choose their preferred theme. There was nothing done to CRK that same was not done to IRK. Both CRK and IRK are classified under the subject Religion and National Values (RNV). on the NERDC website http://www.nerdc.org.ng/eCurriculum/CurriculumSTructure.aspx, it was clearly stated that Separate classes should be run for CRS theme and IS theme

3. I passed through secondary school in the late 80s and early 90s. Even as at then, the options were Arabic Studies/French. There is nothing called Islamic Arabic Studies. Arabic Studies as always been known as Arabic Studies.

4. You also shamelessly lied that "French teachers are more or less non-existent in secondary schools". Where the heck did you pull that lie from?

5. CAN or political CAN is becoming more of an embarrassment, and will soon be confined to oblivion. One will expect a serious body like can to seek understanding on one part, before jumping into embarrasing conclusions. On the other, I would have expected can to be one of the pressure groups pressing for improved quality of education, addressing infrastructural deficits in govt schools, working with govt to increase enrollment rates. It would seem to me that CAN's evangelism strategy is to adopt negative propaganda.............

ivolt:
To an Islamic jihadist nothing make sense aside his worldview, I don't
expect you to ever think outside the box because that would be a
grave sin.

No sensible country will adopt an economically and socially useless language
just because some people's religion say so.

Now run off and convince fools that Arabic language is the best thing for
them.

Islamic Jihadist? is that a new line in your struggle and failed attempt to make a sensible argument? I think the first sensible thing you should have done is to check my posts and see that I have stated on this platform that I am a Christian of right standing.

So your "thinking outside the box" tells you that business transactions and researches are delimited in English language? Outside the box must really be a new word you just looked up and obviously misrepresent here.

The biggest counter-rational thinking is the gibberish you have in bold. Nobody forces you to speak any language and people that adopts Arabic as a language of engagement are not compelled to do so because of Islam. I guess the myriads of multi-nationals especially of western descent in the Middle East who transact business in English, Arabic, Fassie etc are also compelled to do so because of religion? America's biggest ally in Oil business is Saudi Arabia. I guess America compels Saudi's to jettison Arabic because according to your "confused-outside-the-box-paradigm" Arabic is economically and socially useless a language.

Someone once posited that NL has allowed the democracy of thoughtlessness........in your case, nothing is truer

ivolt:
English is the language of international business and cutting edge scientific research.
Smart countries invest in English learning as a second language while
the dumb ones adopt Arabic for sentimental reasons.

Unnecessary arrogance aside, statements like these gives you up as pretty ignorant and childish. Adopting English as second language has NOTHING to do with smarts but exigences and choices....same as adopting Chinese, German and others.

But considering your jaundiced views, my conclusions are I am either conversing with an unexposed kid, or just an "journey-man" with little knowledge.

.