Kaduna — The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory has called for a deliberate rebranding of Christian Religious Studies (CRS) in schools, lamenting that widespread misconceptions have discouraged students from taking the subject.
Speaking at a one-day symposium organised by the Department of Christian Religious Studies, Faculty of Arts, Kaduna State University, Northern CAN Chairman, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, said CRS has for too long been wrongly perceived as a subject reserved for pastors or church workers.
“Christian Religious Studies is not just about church. It is about humanity, morality, and peaceful living. What sociology does, CRS also does. A graduate of CRS can go on to study peace and conflict resolution or other fields. The challenge is that we have failed to present it properly. We must shift the narrative,” Hayab said.
He urged governments across northern Nigeria to recruit more CRS teachers, emphasising that the discipline has applications in peacebuilding, psychology, governance, and human relations. According to him, professionals across various fields perform better when grounded in religion, which fosters accountability and moral discipline.
Hayab commended some northern governors for reintroducing CRS in public schools, describing the move as a recognition that moral education is central to addressing social ills. He also appealed to churches, teachers, and parents to repackage and promote CRS in ways that inspire young people.
“If parents truly love their children, they should encourage them to study CRS. Not everyone wants to be a pastor, but everyone needs values. We must reframe CRS as a tool for building disciplined and peace-loving citizens,” he stressed.
The CAN leader further urged development partners to support CRS education, noting that religion has historically underpinned health, education, and social development in many societies.
“Religion is the engine room of development. It is not just about God and church. We must deliberately shift the narrative and promote CRS as a course that builds peace, shapes character, and strengthens nation-building,” he added.
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