The Bauchi State government, through its Ministry of Education, has announced the closure of all schools in the state for five weeks in observance of the 2025 Ramadan fast. This announcement is part of the approved school calendar for the 2024-2025 academic session.
In a statement to the press on Friday, Jalaludeen Maina, the Information Officer for the Ministry of Education, clarified that the holiday had been planned in advance and included in the academic calendar. The closure will take place from March 1 to April 5, 2025.
Maina confirmed that the closure will affect all educational institutions in the state, including public and private primary schools, junior and senior secondary schools, as well as higher institutions of learning.
“Yes, all our schools will be closed during this period as reflected in the 2024-2025 approved academic calendar. The closure ensures that students are not fasting while in school. The five-week holiday is for Ramadan, and after the fasting period, students will resume and continue their academic activities,” he said.
However, some parents have expressed concerns about the potential negative impact of this closure on their children’s education. Ismail Raji urged the state government to reconsider its decision, expressing worry that it could contribute to the rising number of out-of-school children in the state.
Mohammed Isa also voiced dissatisfaction, reminding the government that Bauchi has one of the highest rates of out-of-school children. He emphasized that the government should focus on initiatives that encourage parents to send their children to school rather than adopting measures that might discourage education.
