The Bauchi State government, declared the closure of all schools in the state, in observance of the upcoming five-week-long Ramadan fast in 2025.
This announcement was made through the Ministry of Education and is outlined in the approved school calendar for the 2024-2025 academic session.
In a statement to the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday, Mr. Jalaludeen Maina, Information Officer for the Ministry of Education, confirmed that the closure had already been planned well in advance and is a part of the official academic calendar.
He explained that schools would remain closed from March 1 to April 5, 2025, in observance of the fasting period.
“The five-week holiday is designated for Ramadan fasting,” Maina explained.
“Students will resume school immediately after the fasting period to continue with their academic activities,” Maina continued.
The school closure affects all educational institutions in the state, including public and private primary schools, junior and secondary schools, as well as higher learning institutions.
However, some parents have expressed concerns about the impact of such an extended break on their children’s education.
Mrs. Sunita Joseph, a parent, voiced her frustration, questioning the necessity of such a long break.
“Why would the Ramadan break be so long?” she asked.
“The children may have even started forgetting what they learned before the break,” she continued.
Ismail Raji also called on the state government to reconsider the decision, warning that it could exacerbate the issue of out-of-school children in the state.
Mohammed Isa, another concerned parent, reminded the government that Bauchi has one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children in the country, urging for initiatives that would encourage parents to prioritize sending their children to school.
As the state moves forward with its plans, these concerns highlight the challenges of balancing religious observances with educational progress.
NAN
