Bauchi State Government Announce Closure of All Schools for Five-Week Due to Ramadan.
The Bauchi State government, through its Ministry of Education, has announced the closure of all schools across the state in preparation for the five-week-long 2025 Ramadan fast.
This decision was outlined in the approved school calendar for the 2024–2025 academic session. Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria in Bauchi on Friday, the Information Officer of the Ministry of Education, Mr. Jalaludeen Maina, confirmed that the holiday had been planned and incorporated into the school calendar well in advance.
According to Maina, the school closure will take effect from March 1 to April 5, 2025, and applies to all educational institutions in the state. This includes public and private primary schools, junior and senior secondary schools, as well as higher institutions of learning.
“Yes, we are closing all our schools, and this is part of the 2024–2025 approved academic calendar,” Maina stated. “The decision was made to ensure that our students observe the Ramadan fast at home and not while in school. The five-week break is dedicated to the fasting period, and immediately after Ramadan, students will resume their academic activities.”
However, the announcement has sparked mixed reactions from parents, many of whom expressed concerns about the potential impact on their children’s education.
Mrs. Sunita Joseph, a parent, voiced her frustration, emphasizing that the break was excessively long.
“Why should the Ramadan break last this long? The children might even start forgetting what they’ve learned before the holiday,” she said.
Another concerned parent, Ismail Raji, urged the state government to reconsider the duration of the closure, warning that it could contribute to the rising number of out-of-school children.
Mohammed Isa also criticized the decision, reminding the government that Bauchi State already ranks among the states with the highest number of out-of-school children.
“The state government should be introducing initiatives and programs that encourage school attendance, not decisions that could discourage it,” Isa remarked.
As the debate continues, many parents hope the government will reassess the length of the holiday to strike a balance between religious observance and educational progress.
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