The Bauchi State government has ordered the closure of all schools across the state in preparation for the 2025 Ramadan fast, which will last five weeks.
This decision was outlined in the approved academic calendar for the 2024-2025 session, as confirmed by the state’s Ministry of Education.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria in Bauchi on Friday, the ministry’s Information Officer, Mr. Jalaludeen Maina, clarified that the closure had been planned well in advance.
According to Maina, the directive applies to all educational institutions, including public and private primary, junior secondary, senior secondary schools, and higher institutions of learning.
“Yes, we are closing all our schools and this is included in our 2024-2025 approved calendar for the academic session that our students are not going to do the Ramadan fasting while in school.
“The five-week holiday is for Ramadan fasting, and immediately after the fasting, they will resume and continue with their academics,” he said.
However, some parents in the state have raised concerns, fearing the extended break could negatively impact their children’s academic progress.
One of the parents, Mrs. Sunita Joseph, expressed her displeasure, arguing that the five-week holiday was excessive.
“Why would Ramadan break be too long like this? The children may have even started forgetting what they had learned before the break,” she said.
Another concerned parent, Ismail Raji, urged the government to reconsider the decision, warning that it might contribute to the increasing number of out-of-school children.
Similarly, Mohammed Isa criticized the policy, reminding the authorities that Bauchi already has one of the highest rates of out-of-school children in the country.
He emphasized that the government should instead focus on initiatives that encourage school enrollment and academic engagement rather than extended breaks.
