The Bauchi State government is closing all schools in the state for five weeks in preparation for the 2025 Ramadan fast.
The break, which runs from March 1 to April 5, affects all public and private primary, junior, and secondary schools, as well as higher institutions of learning. The Ministry of Education stated that the holiday was already incorporated into the approved 2024–2025 academic calendar.
Jalaludeen Maina, the Information Officer of the ministry, explained that the decision was to allow students to observe the Ramadan fast without the demands of academic activities.
“The five-week holiday is part of our academic calendar. Students will resume immediately after fasting to continue their studies,” he said.
While some welcomed the break, others voiced concerns over its potential impact on students’ learning.
Mrs. Sunita Joseph, a parent, described the break as excessive, fearing students might struggle to retain what they had learned before the holiday.
“Why would Ramadan break be this long? The children may have even started forgetting what they had learned before the break,” she said.
Ismail Raji urged the state government to reconsider, warning that the extended holiday could worsen the out-of-school children crisis.
Mohammed Isa, another concerned parent, pointed out that Bauchi already has one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children in the country. He stressed the need for policies that promote education rather than disrupt it.
With the closure set to begin in a few days, many parents and education stakeholders are hoping for a review of the decision to strike a balance between religious observance and academic progress.
NAN
