Explainer: The Controversy Surrounding School Closures for Ramadan in Northern Nigeria

By Oluwaseye Ogunsanya 

Last week, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, and Bauchi State governments ordered the closure of all schools during the holy month of Ramadan. This decision has sparked widespread debate and criticism from various sectors, including education unions and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). The implications of these closures raise crucial questions about educational continuity, equity, and the rights of students across religious lines.

Background of the Decision

The closures were officially announced to allow students, teachers, and other stakeholders to fully observe Ramadan, a time for fasting and spiritual reflection for Muslims. This year, Ramadan began on March 1. According to the revised academic calendars, Kebbi State announced that schools would close from February 28, 2025, and resume on April 7, 2025, while Bauchi State set a five-week break to coincide with the fasting period.

The closure has been justified by state officials as a necessary accommodation for the Muslim community. For instance, Ahmed Idris, Chief Press Secretary to the Kebbi State governor, emphasized that consultations were held with various stakeholders, including religious leaders, before the decision was made.

“We are not reversing the decision. The closure of the schools was a result of meetings with all relevant stakeholders, including religious leaders, parents, and others.

“The leadership of CAN and the Muslim community were carried along before the decision was reached,” Idris told The PUNCH.

He further explained that the closure would only affect a maximum of two weeks in Kebbi from the initial academic calendar and would not disrupt school activities.

“Our normal school calendar already factored in closures during the fasting period. So, the issue of disrupting the academic calendar does not arise.”

How Have Stakeholders Reacted?  

The decision has stirred strong reactions from parents, educators, and student unions. They argue that the closures prioritize religious observance over education, potentially disadvantageous to students from different faiths.

Many parents expressed confusion over the directive, the impact of prolonged school closures on academic performance, especially given that students are currently preparing for critical external examinations, including the National Examination Council (NECO) and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) tests. 

Similarly, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has been particularly vocal, describing the closures as counterproductive. CAN President Daniel Okoh stated that such actions threaten the educational advancement of millions of students and exacerbate the already high rates of out-of-school children in the affected states, which average around 44%, significantly above the national average of 34%.

“The closure of schools across these northern states, ranging from nursery to tertiary levels, for an extended period will disrupt academic schedules, and threaten the educational advancement of millions of students.

“These states are already facing alarming rates of out-of-school children, averaging 44 per cent according to recent data, far exceeding the national average.

“Such prolonged breaks risk deepening this crisis, undermining efforts to ensure access to quality education for all,” CAN said.

Social media users have also questioned the practicality of these closures with many pointing out that schools in predominantly Muslim countries, such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, remain open during Ramadan, only adjusting school hours to accommodate fasting.

Is This the First Time?

The closure of schools during Ramadan is not a new phenomenon in Nigeria, especially in the northern states, where similar decisions have been made in the past. For instance, Kano State has previously shut down schools for Ramadan. 

In 2022, the Kano State government adjusted the school calendar to allow students to fully observe Ramadan. The decision was made following appeals from parents and other stakeholders on the need by the government to allow their wards to observe complete Ramadan Fast at home, considering the significance of the month. Schools were required to close from April 1 to May 8 that year. 

Historically, while there have been adjustments in academic calendars to accommodate religious observances, the complete shutdown of schools for an entire month is less common.

What Are The Plans for Educational Continuity? 

In light of the closures, questions arise regarding how the affected states plan to ensure that students can compete academically with their peers in other regions. The educational authorities in these states assert that the academic calendar has been structured to accommodate such breaks, suggesting that the curriculum can still be completed within the adjusted timeframe.

For example, the Bauchi State Education Commissioner mentioned that after the Ramadan break, students would have two weeks to complete their second term before moving on to the third term. 

“We have not done anything extraordinary. Before we drafted the 2024/2025 session calendar, the stakeholders’ input was considered.

“The stakeholders were the ones who propel this solution, especially the private school owners whose state chairman is a Christian.

“This has nothing to do with our academic calendar because, after the resumption, the students will have two weeks of studies to complete their second term before moving on to the third term.”

“We equally consulted other states, which we exchanged programmes with before a memo was raised for the calendar and got approved by the Governor.” He said. 

However, critics remain skeptical about whether this schedule allows for adequate preparation for important examinations.