Bauchi State Shuts Schools for Five Weeks Ahead of Ramadan, Sparks Concern Among Parents

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 decision, confirmed by the state’s Ministry of Education, aligns with the 2024-2025 academic calendar and will see both public and private schools—ranging from primary to tertiary institutions—shut their doors from March 1 to April 5

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, Jalaludeen Maina, the ministry’s information officer, assured that the holiday was pre-planned and incorporated into the academic schedule.

“Our students are not going to do the Ramadan fasting while in school,” Maina stated. “The five-week holiday is for Ramadan fasting. Immediately after the fasting, they will resume and continue with their academics.”

However, the announcement has triggered concerns among parents, many of whom worry about the impact on their children’s education.

Sunita Joseph, a mother in the state, voiced her frustration over the extended break.

“Why would the Ramadan break be this long? The children may even start forgetting what they have learned before the break,” she said.

Similarly, Ismail Raji urged the state government to reconsider, warning that such prolonged closures could worsen the state’s already troubling rate of out-of-school children.

Bauchi is among the states with the highest number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, a statistic that has fueled concerns over the long-term effects of such policies. Mohammed Isa, another parent, emphasized the need for initiatives that encourage school attendance rather than disrupt learning.

“The government should be implementing programs that make education more accessible, not shutting down schools for such an extended period,” Isa remarked.