From Kemi Yesufu and Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to return Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) as an independent subject in the secondary school curriculum.
It also advocated the removal of the controversial religious component from Civic Education by ensuring that Islamic Religious Knowledge (IRK) and CRK are taught separately.
The House said Civic Education should not only be made optional in secondary school examinations, it should be taught as ‘Government’ as was the case under the previous curriculum.
The controversial curriculum is expected to take off with the commencement of next academic session in September.
Recently, there has been controversy over the subject with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) protesting the alleged removal of CRK from the curriculum and the introduction of Islamic/Arabic Studies.
The House, at plenary yesterday, expressed disappointment that government made the decision to introduce such a controversial subject without consulting widely.
The decision of the House followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Beni Lar, who in her lead debate, noted that in the previous secondary school curriculum, Civic Education was not a compulsory subject while students were taught religious education as Islamic Religious Knowledge (IRK) and Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK).
“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.
“It should be recalled that section 10 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, makes Nigeria a secular state, and therefore, religion should be separated from national values,” she stated.
In his contribution, Emmanuel Oker-Jev said the new curriculum was a policy somersault and a breach of the constitution.
On his part, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma cited Section 38 of the constitution, which states how religious education could be obtained, adding that the debate on the subject was unnecessary as the constitution was clear on the issue.
Another member, Rita Orji said the development was a complete confusion to children in school.
“Looking at the curriculum, you see that it is a compulsory subject. This is more like indoctrination,” she said.
Aminu Shagari (APC, Sokoto) noted that the motion was timely since the curriculum was expected to come into operation in September.
The motion was unanimously adopted after it was put to a voice vote by the presiding officer, Deputy Speaker Yussuff Lasun.
Meanwhile, the House has given Acting President Yemi Osinbajo one week to swear in the minister-designate from Kogi and Gombe states.
This is sequel to a motion moved under matters of urgent national importance by Sunday Karimi and two others.
Karimu said contrary to the provision of the constitution that every state should be represented at the Federal Executive Council, Kogi and Gombe states were not represented.
He said it was imperative for Osinbajo to swear in the two ministerial designates from the affected states and assign portfolio to them as a matter of urgency.
The ministerial slots for the two states became vacant following the death of James Ocholi from Kogi and the resignation of Amina Mohammed from Gombe.
Although, the replacement for the two former ministers have been screened and confirmed by the Senate, they are yet to be sworn in.
The House also resolved to set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the incidence of flooding in Suleja in Niger State, parts of Lagos State, Isiukwuato in Abia State and other parts of the country.
The committee is expected to meet with relevant government ministries and agencies to discuss ways to forestall a recurrence
The resolution followed a motion jointly sponsored by Abubakar Lado and the Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila.
In his lead debate, Lado said there was need for the House Committees on Special Duties and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) to pay urgent visit to Suleja to ascertain the impact of the flood disaster.
In his contribution, Gbajabiamila called on the Federal Government to assist Lagos State government in tackling the perennial flooding in the state.
“It is time for us to assist the state. Lagos is working hard to make sure that these issues are addressed. There is nothing much the state can do,” the lawmaker stated.
The House later observed a minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives in the floods in Suleja and other parts of the country recently.
