Mixed reactions as States close down schools for the month of Ramadan

The governments of Katsina, Kebbi, and Bauchi States, have announced a full-month school holiday across both public and private institutions to coincide with the holy month of Ramadan, a period of strict fasting observed by Muslims.

The holiday, effective immediately, is aimed at allowing students, teachers, and educational stakeholders to fully participate in the spiritual practices of fasting, prayer, and other religious observances throughout the month.

The move, which begins today, underscores the significance of Ramadan for the Muslim community in these northern states.

In Kebbi, the revised 2024/2025 academic calendar indicates that the second term officially ended on February 28, 2025, with the Ramadan break starting March 1, 2025.

Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ahmed Idris, confirmed that the break was approved to enable Muslim students and staff to fully engage in their religious duties.

Kebbi’s schools will resume for the third term on April 7, 2025. Idris further emphasized that all educational institutions must adhere to this schedule, wishing the Muslim community a spiritually enriching Ramadan.

Similarly, in Katsina, the state government has ordered all schools to close for the duration of Ramadan. Dr. Aminu Usman, the Commander General of the state’s Hisbah Board, issued a directive emphasizing compliance, particularly for private schools, with penalties for those found non-compliant.

These steps reflect the region’s commitment to supporting the religious observance of Ramadan while ensuring educational schedules are respected.

The statement reads: “In accordance with the Katsina State government’s directive, all private schools are required to close for the Ramadan period to allow pupils to fully observe the holy month. The directive includes extra lessons, please.

“The Hisbah Board urges all school proprietors to strictly comply with this directive. Non-compliance will not be tolerated.

“May Allah accept our fast and grant us His blessings.”

In Bauchi State, the Ministry of Education has issued a directive mandating that all schools—public, private, and faith-based—close for the next 40 days to allow Muslim students to observe the month-long fasting period with their families.

The decision has sparked a wave of mixed reactions, particularly among parents.

While the move is intended to accommodate religious observances, many parents have expressed confusion and concern over its timing, given the looming external examinations that students are expected to sit for in the coming months.

Some parents, have questioned the necessity of such a long break.

They argue that the holiday disrupts students’ preparation for critical exams, such as the West African Examination Council (WAEC), National Examination Council (NECO), and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) tests, which require consistent study and syllabus completion.

The Association of Christian Private Schools in Bauchi has also voiced concerns about the impact of the holiday.

In a letter addressed to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state, the association’s chairman, Reverend Musa Bogoro Zakka, criticised the proposed academic calendar.

He warned that a five-week holiday, followed by an intense examination period without adequate preparation, would harm students’ morale.

He added that the tight schedule would leave little room for proper academic revision, potentially affecting students’ performance in their final exams.

“The enforcement of the proposed Ramadan break may disrupt peaceful coexistence between Christian and Muslim students mentally as it may be perceived as forcing all students to remain at home regardless of their religious affiliations.

“But if it is made optional as has always been, it will encourage and entrench flexibility and tolerance in educational policy of the Ministry of Education, in line with the core principles of the Executive Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, who has demonstrated inclusiveness in all his government policies and administration which the Christian community is very proud of.

“Another critical issue is that the closure is restricted to only nursery, primary and secondary schools in the state while tertiary institutions, civil servants and the private sector go about their normal activities. It gives the impression that private sector education is being undermined and marginalised.

“We had hoped as always that the calendar be kept optional while the needs of our Muslim students are taken into consideration by adjusting the timetable for lessons to close earlier than usual.

“We are also aware that the flexibility exhibited in academic planning by past commissioners of education in Bauchi State has greatly entrenched the value of peaceful coexistence.

“Partnership between private and public schools built a robust collaboration with the ministry which has been providing policy and supervision to all schools under it, yet noting the peculiarities of private sector education so that parents have value for the funds expended on school fees. If this is sustained, we will be very grateful.

“In conclusion, we hold in high esteem the religious and moral benefits of Ramadan fasting as it entrenches the tenets of both learning and character in our various institutions. All we are asking is that instead of outright closure of all nursery, primary, and secondary schools in the state, it can be made optional while the government, in its usual magnanimity, makes adequate and sufficient provision to take good care of our boarding Muslim students and give the usual Sallah celebration holidays.”