A fresh controversy has erupted over the decision of four northern states—Katsina, Kebbi, Kano, and Bauchi—to shut down schools for the Ramadan period. A data review by SaharaReporters, using statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), has revealed that these states already suffer from some of the worst rates of out-of-school children in Nigeria, further fueling concerns about the impact of the closures on education.
According to the NBS’s Multidimensional Poverty Index, Bauchi State has the highest percentage of children lacking access to education at 54%, followed by Kebbi (45%), Katsina (38%), and Kano (35%). On average, these states have 44% of their school-age population out of school, a stark contrast to the national average of 34%.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that the Katsina State Government ordered the closure of all private schools during Ramadan, warning that non-compliance would have consequences.
In a circular dated February 27, 2025, the Katsina State Hisbah Board issued a directive, signed by its Commandant General, Aminu Usman, stating:
> “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 directive also bans extra lessons, with the Hisbah Board emphasizing strict compliance.
A similar move has been implemented in Bauchi State, where authorities ordered a five-week school closure from February 26 to April 5, 2025, covering both Ramadan and the Salah celebrations.
Disruptions to the Academic Calendar
The official academic calendar, obtained by SaharaReporters, indicates that the second term of the 2024/2025 session began on January 5, 2025. However, the Bauchi State Government divided the term into two phases:
Phase 1: January 5 – February 28
Phase 2 (After Ramadan Break): April 6 – April 29
This means students will be away from school for over a month, raising concerns about learning gaps and academic setbacks.
Following SaharaReporters’ exposé, the government’s stance has triggered nationwide outrage, with many questioning the impact of prolonged school closures on an already fragile education system. Critics argue that shutting schools in states with some of the highest out-of-school rates further deepens the education crisis.
Despite the backlash, authorities in the affected states remain firm, citing religious observance as the primary reason for the closures. However, education advocates warn that such decisions could have long-term consequences, further worsening literacy levels in these regions.
As the debate rages on, one pressing question remains: Is prioritizing religious observance over education a wise decision in states where nearly half of the children are already out of school?
PIONEER NEWS 