In a decisive and unprecedented move, the Katsina State government has mandated the closure of all private schools throughout the Ramadan period. Issued on February 27, 2025, by the Katsina State Hisbah Board and signed by Commandant General Aminu Usman, the directive underscores the state’s commitment to allowing students uninterrupted participation in the holy month’s spiritual observances.
According to the circular, “In accordance with the Katsina State Government’s directive, all private schools are required to close during the Ramadan period to allow pupils to fully observe the holy month.” The order goes further, stipulating that supplementary lessons will be incorporated during this period, with a stern warning that non-compliance will not be tolerated. The circular concluded with a heartfelt invocation: “May Allah accept our fast and grant us His blessings.”
This bold policy is not isolated. Sahara Reporters earlier revealed that Bauchi State has implemented a similar directive, ordering the closure of all schools, including private institutions, from February 26, 2025, until the end of Ramadan and the subsequent Salah celebration. In Bauchi, the academic calendar for the 2024/2025 session was strategically segmented—beginning on January 5, followed by a break from March 1 to April 5, with classes set to resume on April 6.
The sweeping measures have ignited robust debate online, as educators, parents, and students grapple with the implications for academic schedules amid heightened religious fervor. Nevertheless, state authorities remain firm, emphasizing that the closures are essential to preserve the sanctity and observance of Ramadan.
As Katsina and Bauchi navigate the intersection of educational policy and religious tradition, the unfolding developments promise to fuel further public discourse on balancing academic commitments with spiritual obligations during one of Islam’s most sacred times.
PIONEER NEWS 