The Bauchi State Government has officially announced that all schools across the state will remain closed for a period of five weeks, starting from March 1 to April 5, in order to allow students to fully observe the Ramadan fast. This decision comes in line with the official school calendar for the 2024-2025 academic year, ensuring that the school closure aligns with the holy month of Ramadan.
Jalaludeen Maina, who serves as the Information Officer for the Ministry of Education, confirmed that this directive applies to all educational institutions within the state. This includes public and private primary schools, as well as junior and senior secondary schools, and tertiary institutions. The closure is intended to give students the opportunity to focus on their religious obligations during the fasting period, without the added distraction of schoolwork and academic pressure.
The decision, however, has sparked mixed reactions from the public, particularly among parents and guardians. While some parents have expressed their appreciation for the government's effort to accommodate the religious needs of students, others have voiced concerns about the extended holiday and its potential negative impact on students' academic progress.
A segment of parents has raised concerns that such a prolonged break could cause a disruption in the students' learning process, leading to a decline in retention of previously taught lessons. Additionally, some fear that this extended school closure could result in a rise in the number of students staying out of school, potentially affecting their overall academic performance.
The state government has yet to address these concerns directly, but the policy stands as part of its commitment to respecting the religious practices of the majority of the state's residents.
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