In a move to accommodate Muslim students observing the holy month of Ramadan, the Bauchi and Kebbi state governments have announced a five-week closure of schools.
According to the approved academic calendar, schools in Bauchi State will be closed from February 26, 2025, until the end of Ramadan and the Salah celebrations, with classes resuming on April 6, 2025.
Similarly, Kebbi State has revised its 2024/2025 academic calendar, ending the second term on February 28, 2025, and commencing a Ramadan break on March 1, with schools set to reopen for the third term on April 7, 2025.
The decision aligns with the guidance of the National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), which has called on Muslims to begin moon-sighting for Ramadan 1446 AH after sunset on February 28, 2025. If the crescent is sighted, Ramadan will begin on March 1; otherwise, fasting will commence on March 2.
The NSCIA also urged wealthy Muslims to extend charity to the less privileged during Ramadan, emphasizing the economic challenges facing many Nigerians. It further advised traders to avoid hoarding and unnecessary price hikes on essential commodities during the fasting period.
The temporary school closures reflect an effort to balance education with religious observance, ensuring that fasting students and teachers can fully participate in the spiritual significance of Ramadan while maintaining academic continuity upon their return.
