Schools across Bauchi State will remain closed for five weeks as part of a government directive aligning the academic calendar with the Ramadan fasting period. According to the directive, all schools, both private and public, will be closed from February 26, 2025, until after the Salah celebration, with classes resuming on April 5, 2025.
The official academic calendar for the 2024/2025 session, obtained by SaharaReporters, shows that the second term commenced on January 5, 2025. The state government structured the term into two phases: the first running from January 5 to February 28, followed by a five-week break from March 1 to April 5, with classes resuming from April 6 to April 29.
However, this directive has sparked concerns among private school owners, particularly those from Christian communities, who argue that the policy disregards the diverse student population and unfairly restricts educational access.
Findings indicate that similar school closures have been enforced in previous years. However, after interventions from education stakeholders, the government previously allowed schools to decide whether to close or remain open during Ramadan.
“This is not the first time schools have been ordered to close. In the past, a committee was set up to liaise with the state education commissioner, who then relaxed the directive.
Despite past flexibility, the state government has taken a firm stance this year, insisting that all schools comply with the closure order.
Unhappy with the decision, a group known as “Christian-Faith-Based Schools” in Bauchi is opposing the directive and seeking intervention. Musa Bogoro Zakka—the former Chairman of Private School Owners in Bauchi Local Government and the 2015 Bauchi State Chairman of the National Association of Private School Owners—the group appealed to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to advocate on behalf of Christian students.
The letter states, “We are writing on behalf of Christian-faith-based schools in Bauchi State to bring to your attention the implications of the Bauchi State Ministry of Education Academic Calendar for the 2024/2025 session. The directive mandates the closure of all schools during Ramadan, from March 1 to April 5, 2025.
“When we initially raised concerns, we were informed that CAN was part of the stakeholders involved in drafting the calendar. However, as the implementation date approaches, feedback from Christian-faith-based schools necessitates a review of the decision.”
The group argues that an extended school closure will negatively impact students preparing for external examinations such as WAEC, NECO, and JAMB, as syllabus coverage may be incomplete.
They further assert that the imposed calendar could demoralize students, who will be required to return from a lengthy break and immediately commence examinations, followed by a new term without respite. Teachers, they argue, will also face an increased workload.
Additionally, the group warns that the closure may strain interfaith relations between Christian and Muslim students, as it compels all students to observe a break aligned with a particular religious observance.
They also highlight perceived discrimination against private schools, pointing out that tertiary institutions and civil servants are not required to suspend activities during Ramadan.
However, Musa Zakka, chairman of the Christian-faith-based school owners’ committee, expressed disappointment over the lack of support from CAN in their efforts to engage the government.
“We sought a meeting with CAN but were never granted an audience. We wanted to reach the state government through CAN but were unsuccessful,” he told SaharaReporters.
Although the state government claims that it consulted all religious leaders, including CAN, before finalizing the academic calendar, the CAN chairman in Bauchi, Abraham Damina, denied being consulted or officially informed about the school closures.
“I was not consulted, nor was CAN. Nobody from the state government reached out to me, and I was unaware of the plan,” Damina told SaharaReporters, insisting that CAN was not involved in the decision-making process.
He also denied knowledge of the protest letter from the Christian-faith-based schools.
When asked to comment further, he declined, stating that if he had been informed, he would have engaged relevant authorities before making public remarks.
Meanwhile, Musa Hardo, the Bauchi State Chairman for Private School Owners, defended the government’s decision, stating, “The academic calendar was drawn up after consultations with various groups, including religious leaders.
“If you object to a five-week break during Ramadan, should children also refuse to take breaks during Christmas?”
He emphasized that the decision applies to all schools without exception.
Hardo also claimed that the CAN chairman was invited to be part of the committee that determined the school calendar, although he admitted he was not personally present at the meeting.
Bauchi State Government Threatens Schools with Sanctions if they fail to comply with the directives
A circular issued by the Ministry of Education’s head of private schools stated that all private schools must adhere to the directive.
“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 liberty of one week before or after remains, but only with a valid reason.
“The Local Government Taskforce on Private Schools has been instructed to report any non-compliant schools for further action.”
According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics’ multidimensional poverty index, Bauchi State ranks among the top six states with the highest number of children failing to attain educational milestones, with 74% of children reportedly deprived of quality education.
