The Bauchi State government has ordered the closure of all schools across the state for five weeks, from March 1 to April 5, to allow students to observe the 2025 Ramadan fast.
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Jalaludeen Maina, Information Officer at the Ministry of Education, confirmed the development, stating that the directive applies to public and private primary, junior, and secondary schools, as well as higher institutions. He explained that the holiday aligns with the state’s approved school calendar for the 2024–2025 academic session.
However, the decision has sparked mixed reactions among parents and education stakeholders. Some parents fear that the prolonged break could disrupt learning and affect students’ academic progress.
Mrs. Sunita Joseph, a concerned parent, questioned the necessity of such a long holiday, expressing worry that students might struggle to recall what they had learned before the break.
Similarly, Ismail Raji and Mohammed Isa urged the government to reconsider the decision, arguing that it could worsen the state’s challenge of out-of-school children. They emphasized the need for policies that encourage school attendance rather than prolonged closures.
The closure comes amid ongoing debates about balancing religious observances with academic commitments in Nigeria’s education system.
