The Bauchi State Ministry of Education has directed all schools in the state to close in preparation for the five-week Ramadan fast in 2025.
The announcement is part of the state’s authorized school calendar for the academic year 2024-2025.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria in Bauchi on Friday, the Ministry of Education’s Information Officer, Mr. Jalaludeen Maina, stated that the vacation had long been included in the calendar.
He explained that the closure would be effective from March 1 until April 5.
According to Maina, the shutdown affected all educational institutions in the state, including public and private elementary, junior, and secondary, as well as higher education institutions.
“Yes, we are closing all our schools, and this is included in our 2024-2025 approved calendars 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.
Meanwhile, several parents in the state have expressed concern that the development may have a negative impact on their children’s education.
Mrs. Sunita Joseph, who expressed her dissatisfaction with the development, emphasized that the time frame was too long.
“Why would the Ramadan break be too long like this? The children may have even started forgetting what they had learned before the break,” she said.
Ismail Raji urged the state administration to reconsider the decision, warning that it could foster out-of-school children syndrome.
Mohammed Isa, who disapproved of the situation, reminded the state authorities that the state has one of the highest percentages of out-of-school children.
He suggested that the government develop projects and programs to encourage parents to send their children to school.
