The Bauchi State government has mandated the closure of all schools—both public and private—for five weeks in observance of the Ramadan fasting period, SaharaReporters has learned. The directive, which takes effect from February 26, 2025, will keep schools shut until after the Eid-al-Fitr celebrations, with classes scheduled to resume on April 5.
The decision has sparked outrage, particularly among private school owners, Christian-faith-based institutions, and education stakeholders, who argue that such a prolonged academic hiatus could disrupt students’ learning progress and jeopardize preparations for crucial external examinations like WAEC, NECO, and JAMB.
The official academic calendar obtained by SaharaReporters reveals that the 2024/2025 second-term session, which began on January 5, 2025, was initially designed to run continuously. However, the state government divided it into two phases:
Phase 1: January 5 to February 28, 2025
Break Period: March 1 to April 5, 2025 (Five-week Ramadan recess)
Phase 2: April 6 to April 29, 2025
This restructuring effectively extends the term’s duration but compresses instructional periods, a move that has left many education stakeholders dissatisfied.
Private school owners, particularly those affiliated with Christian-faith institutions, have strongly opposed the decision. They argue that it unfairly forces non-Muslim students to suspend their education for religious observance they do not partake in.
A coalition of Christian-faith-based schools, in a letter signed by Musa Bogoro Zakka—former Chairman of Private School Owners in Bauchi Local Government and ex-Bauchi State Chairman of the National Association of Private School Owners—urged the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to intervene.
The letter reads:
> “We are writing on behalf of the Christian-faith-based schools in Bauchi State to bring to your attention the implications of the Bauchi State Ministry of Education’s academic calendar for the 2024/2025 session, which mandates an outright closure of all schools (both private and public) during the Ramadan fast, from March 1 to April 5, 2025.”
The group fears that the extended closure will have a severe impact on students’ academic progress and preparedness for external examinations.
Despite the government’s claim that all religious stakeholders were consulted before implementing the decision, CAN’s Bauchi State Chairman, Abraham Damina, refuted any involvement.
> “I was not consulted, neither was CAN consulted. Nobody from the state government reached out to me. If I had been informed, I would have engaged the necessary authorities before making any public statements,” Damina told SaharaReporters.
He also denied any knowledge of the letter sent by Christian-faith-based schools protesting the government’s action.
In response to growing resistance, the Bauchi State Ministry of Education has issued warnings to private schools, threatening punitive measures against any institution that defies the closure order.
A circular sent to private school administrators reads:
> “I am directed to inform you that the official closing date for all Nursery, Primary, and Secondary Schools in the state is Wednesday, February 26, 2025. All private schools must comply with the academic calendar.”
The ministry further instructed local government taskforces on private schools to submit the names of non-compliant institutions for sanctions.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Multidimensional Poverty Index reveals that Bauchi ranks among the top six states with the highest number of children deprived of education.
Key statistics include:
74% of children in Bauchi fail to attain basic education, far exceeding the national average.
54% of children in the state are deprived of formal education, the highest in the country, surpassing even conflict-ridden states like Zamfara (44%) and Borno (48%).
Despite these alarming figures, the government has chosen to enforce a five-week school closure, a decision critics argue will only worsen the educational crisis.
A SaharaReporters investigation found that other states with significant Muslim populations, such as Kwara and Sokoto, have opted for a reduction in school hours rather than a complete shutdown. However, Bauchi’s decision to impose a total closure has sparked concerns over academic disruption and potential discrimination.
The controversy surrounding this directive has fueled speculations of government bias and religious favoritism, with critics questioning why:
Tertiary institutions and civil servants are not subjected to the same Ramadan break
Other religious holidays, such as Christmas, do not warrant prolonged school closures
In response, Musa Hardo, Bauchi State Chairman for Private School Owners, defended the government’s position, arguing that similar breaks are observed during Christian holidays.
> “If you are angry about the five-week break for Ramadan, should we now say children should not go on break during Christmas?” he asked.
Despite his defense, the move has deepened sectarian tensions, with some groups accusing the government of infringing on religious and educational rights.
SaharaReporters attempted to reach Muhktar Gidado, the Senior Special Adviser to the Bauchi State Governor on Media, for comments, but he did not respond to phone calls at the time of this report.
As the controversy rages on, education stakeholders, religious leaders, and human rights activists continue to push for a review of the policy, warning that its long-term impact could further entrench educational backwardness in Bauchi State.
PIONEER NEWS 