By [Your Name]
March 10, 2025
In a move that has sparked debate across Nigeria, Bauchi State, along with several other Northern Nigerian states, has declared a lengthy school holiday to coincide with the Ramadan fasting period. The policy has drawn criticism from education advocates and religious leaders alike, who argue it could undermine academic progress in a region already struggling with high numbers of out-of-school children.
The Bauchi State Ministry of Education announced that schools would commence Ramadan holidays on March 1, 2025, and resume on April 6, 2025, after the Ramadan fast and Eid-el-Fitri celebrations. This decision has drawn both support and criticism.
State education officials defended the move, claiming it was designed to balance academic commitments with cultural and religious observances. However, critics argue the policy could unfairly disadvantage non-Muslim students and potentially set a troubling precedent.
Concerns have been raised that the extended break may further disrupt the academic calendar, particularly in a region already battling low school attendance rates. Detractors warn that such a policy could inadvertently align with anti-education ideologies pushed by insurgent groups like Boko Haram, which notoriously oppose Western education.
Katsina, Kebbi, and Kano states have implemented similar Ramadan holiday policies, while Sokoto State, after initially considering the move, reportedly paused due to public outcry. Critics point out that predominantly Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia, as well as Zamfara State in Nigeria, have chosen to maintain regular school schedules during Ramadan.
A Zamfara school principal confirmed that their second-term examinations would proceed as planned, beginning March 10, 2025.
Prominent Islamic scholar Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji offered a different perspective, suggesting that the controversy may be overblown. He argued that as long as academic content is completed, the timing of holidays should not be a major concern.
However, this view has faced backlash from those who feel the policy disregards the interests of minority groups. Critics argue that the decision reflects majoritarianism — a governance style that imposes the will of the majority on minority groups.
Concerns have also been raised about constitutional implications. Section 10 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution prohibits state governments from adopting any religion as official, raising questions about the appropriateness of government-mandated religious observances affecting public schools.
While the debate continues, education advocates stress the importance of prioritizing academic continuity in a region where educational challenges are already significant. Calls have grown for the affected states to reconsider the policy in the interest of fairness, inclusiveness, and educational advancement.