Dr Joseph Ekuwem, the Archbishop of Calabar Diocese, has called on government at all levels to intensify the teaching of Christian and Islamic studies in public and private schools across the country.
Ekumen made the call on Saturday in Calabar at the end of a three-day maiden Education Summit organised by the Catholic Schools Board.
He said the measure would create religious harmony and tolerance among students irrespective of their religious backgrounds.
“In Catholic schools, we have Islamic teachers who teach our students the religion and doctrine of Islam, so the students learn both Christian and Islamic doctrines where one teacher can teach both religions,” he said.
According to Ekume, all religions acknowledge the existence of one God — the Almighty as the Creator — and no religion preaches violence.
He said education should not be to improve literacy, but should be all-encompassing, adding that learning of arts and crafts should reintroduced in schools to inculcate in the students self-employment at the early stage.
Ekume advised parents and guardians to always monitor their wards and to ensure that they do not engage in immoral and unwholesome activities both at home and in public life.
`While you are sleeping, your children are in their rooms browsing on the internet all sorts of things or watching movies which are characterized by violence, banditry, gun-trotting among others.
“You have to be at alert and know what your wards are doing, ‘’ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a communiqué was issued at the end of the summit with the Catholic Schools Board stressing the need for training and retraining of teachers to impart skills in the students.
It also called on government at all levels to involve the private sector in formulating a sound curriculum for schools toward ensuring qualitative education in the country.
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