ICIR
THE National Assembly is currently pushing for the passage of a bill to create a regulatory body that will inspect and approve the content of Christian religious education in all schools across the country.
But the bill has been embroiled in controversy.
The proposed legislation is titled ‘Bill to Establish the National Council for Christian Education to Regulate and Set Standards and for Related Matters, 2023’.
It was initiated by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and is sponsored at the National Assembly by Binos Dauda Yaroe, a senator representing Adamawa South Senatorial District.
At the level of the House of Representatives, the bill is sponsored by Shawulu Kwenmwun, a lawmaker representing Donga, Takum, Ussa and Yantu federal constituencies in Taraba state.
According to the sponsors, the bill will regulate and set standards for developing a Christian education curriculum and monitor what learners are taught in school.
The bill passed second reading in the Senate in May.
What the bill proposes
The bill seeks to establish a regulatory council called National Council for Christian Education to monitor Christian religious education nationwide.
The proposed Council will monitor and collate data on Christian education.
Also, the bill seeks to develop and approve syllabuses for Christian education at all levels of learning and certify the study of Christian religion.
It equally seeks to train and certify teachers of Christian religious education in primary and secondary schools.
The bill stipulates that the regulatory body should conduct research, and also publish statistics and information on Christian education.
