The government of Cross Rivers State has issued a directive restricting morning and afternoon prayers in primary and secondary schools in the state, irrespective of whether the schools are privately or publicly owned.
The directive was reportedly issued in a letter signed by the Permanent Secretary in the state’s Ministry of Education, Mrs Anne Odey, dated October 21.
According to the said letter, all teachers in the state are also expected to wear suits during official hours.
“The ministry hereby directs all public and private primary and secondary schools across the state to suspend all assemblies (morning and afternoon) till further notice,” the directive which was sent to all zonal heads said.
The directive warned schools against flouting the rule or risk sanctions.
However, the Christian Association of Nigeria in a statement expressed displeasure with the directive.
In their reactions, the Cross Rivers State Chairman of CAN, Archbishop J.E. Ukpo, and Secretary, Apostle Iwara Obetan, described the government’s directive as unacceptable.
The body said the directive was capable of impacting the upbringing of children negatively, and appealed to the government to reconsider its position with the aim of withdrawing the directive.