Toba Owojaiye Reporting
Bauchi, Nigeria
Bauchi State’s decision to shut down schools for one month during Ramadan has sparked widespread concern among parents, who fear the policy could disrupt their children’s education. The directive, issued by the state’s Ministry of Education, mandates that all schools remain closed throughout the fasting period, with pupils expected to sit for their exams immediately upon resumption.
Truth Live News gathered that this unprecedented move has left many parents bewildered, with some questioning the logic behind halting academic activities for an entire month only to rush students into examinations afterward. While Bauchi is a predominantly Muslim state, critics argue that a more inclusive approach—such as reducing school hours—would have been preferable.
Ali Ayuba, a concerned parent whose child attends school in the Rafin-Zurfi area of Bauchi metropolis, described the policy as abrupt and inconsiderate.
> “I am really confused, seriously. I had hoped that before this kind of policy goes mainstream, parents would be carried along because, after all, we are the most affected by such policies,” he said.
“I thought that they would at least make it optional for schools to adopt the policy because it’s not in all parts of Bauchi that people are fasting. If they must make it a state-wide policy, why not reduce the hours spent in school so that the children can close early?”
Another parent, who requested anonymity, expressed fears that the extended break could negatively impact students’ ability to perform in their upcoming exams.
> “Honestly, this will be counterproductive. How can you reconcile teaching children for two months and then sending them on a one-month break, only to have them write exams immediately after resumption? I can’t understand it.
> “The state governor, who, in my opinion, has done very well in many other things, should look into this policy so that the system he has fought so hard to build will not collapse,” she appealed.
Observers worry that this decision could set a precedent for other northern, Muslim-majority states such as Kano, Katsina, and Kebbi have followed suit already. The long-term impact on academic calendars in such states could be significant, leading to concerns about declining educational performance and reduced school contact hours.
While no other state has formally announced plans to replicate Bauchi’s policy, education analysts warn that such an approach, if widely adopted, could deepen the already worrisome learning gap between Nigeria’s northern and southern regions.
A senior education official, speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledged the concerns but defended the government’s position, arguing that the policy is aimed at allowing students to focus on religious obligations during Ramadan.
> “This is not about disrupting education. It is about aligning our academic calendar with the cultural and religious realities of our state,” the official said.
The backlash from parents, educators, and civil society groups suggests that the policy may need urgent review. Some have proposed that, rather than a full closure, schools could operate on half-day schedules, ensuring that learning continues while also accommodating religious observances.
For now, the fate of thousands of Bauchi students remains uncertain as they face the challenge of a prolonged academic break followed by immediate examinations—an educational experiment that could have lasting consequences.
How the state government responds to these growing concerns may determine whether this policy remains an isolated case or sets a new norm for other Muslim-majority states across Nigeria, particularly in the north.