Bauchi State government, through the Ministry of Education, has announced the closure of all schools in preparation for the five-week-long 2025 Ramadan fast.
The announcement was contained in the approved school calendar for the 2024-2025 academic session.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Bauchi, the Information Officer, Ministry of Education, Mr Jalaludeen Maina, said the holiday had already been incorporated into the calendar long before now.
He explained that the closure would take effect from March 1 to April 5.
Maina said the closure affects all institutions of learning, public and private primary, junior and senior secondary schools, as well as higher institutions of learning.
“Yes, we are closing all our schools and this was included in our 2024-2025 approved calendar for the academic session. Our students are not going to do the Ramadan fasting while in school.
“The five-week holiday is for Ramadan fasting and immediately after, they will resume and continue with their academics,” he said.
Meanwhile, some parents have lamented that the development would adversely impact their children’s educational progress.
Mrs Sunita Joseph, who expressed frustration at the development, emphasised that the period is too long.
“Why would Ramadan break be too long? The children may have even started forgetting what they learnt before the break,” she said.
Ismail Raji called on the state government to reconsider the decision, adding that it could encourage out-of-school children syndrome.
Mohammed Isa, who frowned at the development, reminded the state government that Bauchi is one of the states with the highest number of out-of-school children.
He said government should come up with projects and programmes that would encourage parents to send their wards to school.
