Traditional worshippers want their religion included in school curriculum

The Traditional Religion Worshippers’ Association (TRWA) has urged both the Federal and State governments to introduce traditional religious knowledge as a subject in schools to preserve Yoruba culture and tradition for the younger generation.

Fayemi Fakayode, the Secretary of the Oyo State branch of the association and founder of Olodumare’s Temple of Light International, emphasized the importance of including traditional religious knowledge (TRK) in the primary and secondary school curriculum, similar to Islamic Religious Knowledge (IRK) and Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK).

Fakayode stated, “There is a need for proper education to disabuse the minds of the younger generation about Yoruba history and antecedents, and that can only come with the introduction of traditional religion in schools."

He added, “The time has come for both the Federal and State Governments to include TRK as a subject in the primary and secondary school curriculum, like they have the IRK and CRK, respectively."

Fakayode further highlighted the benefits of including TRK in schools, stating, “There is a need to equip the younger generations with culturally based knowledge which will make them useful for themselves and their land, as well as implanting in them the spirit of patriotism."

He continued, “We call on the traditionalists to start making efforts to establish this subject in our primary and secondary schools, while the Federal and State Governments will give it the needed support by approving its inclusion in the school’s syllabus and curriculum."

Fakayode also expressed concern about misinformation regarding African origin and culture, noting, “With the knowledge of traditional religion, Nigerian children and grandchildren would not be taught about their own religion, culture, tradition, and history by foreigners and those from other religions, who have painted the religion in bad light to lure them away."