By Ghazali Ibrahim
The Bauchi State Government has announced a five-week closure of all schools in the state, from March 1 to April 5, to allow students to observe the Ramadan fast.
This move is in line with the official school calendar for the 2024-2025 academic year.
According to Jalaludeen Maina, the Information Officer for the Ministry of Education, the directive applies to all educational institutions in the state, including public and private schools, as well as tertiary institutions.
The government’s intention is to ease the academic pressure on students during the holy month, giving them time to focus on their religious obligations without the distraction of schoolwork.
However, the decision has sparked mixed reactions from parents and guardians.
Some appreciate the government’s effort to support students’ religious commitments, while others fear the prolonged holiday could disrupt learning and affect academic performance.
Concerns have been raised that the extended break might lead to a decline in retention of previously taught lessons, and could contribute to a rise in the number of children staying out of school.
Despite these concerns, the government is moving forward with the closure, citing the importance of supporting students’ religious obligations.
