Bauchi State Government Shuts Schools For Five Weeks For Ramadan.
The Bauchi State government has announced the closure of all schools across the state for five weeks in preparation for the 2025 Ramadan fast. The closure, which will take effect from 1st March to 5th April, applies to all public and private primary, junior and secondary schools, as well as higher institutions of learning.
The decision was confirmed by Mr Jalaludeen Maina, the Information Officer for the Ministry of Education, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi on Friday. He explained that the holiday had already been incorporated into the approved school calendar for the 2024–2025 academic session.
“Yes, we are closing all our schools, and this is included in our 2024–2025 approved calendar for the academic session so that our students are not fasting during Ramadan while in school,” Maina stated. “The five-week holiday is for Ramadan fasting, and immediately after the fasting, they will resume and continue with their academics.”
However, the announcement has sparked mixed reactions among parents, some of whom have expressed concern over the impact on their children’s education.
Mrs Sunita Joseph criticised the duration of the break, saying, “Why would the Ramadan break be this long? The children may even start forgetting what they have learned before the break.”
Another concerned parent, Ismail Raji, urged the state government to reconsider the decision, warning that it could contribute to the growing number of out-of-school children in the state.
Similarly, Mohammed Isa, while expressing his disappointment, reminded the government that Bauchi already has one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children in the country. He called for initiatives that would encourage school attendance rather than prolonged closures.
The development has reignited discussions on balancing religious observances with the need for continuous academic progress in the state.
