There was outrage yesterday as the governments of three northern states, Katsina, Kebbi and Bauchi, directed all schools, public and private, to proceed on holiday for the whole month of Ramadan.
he governments said the holiday is to allow students, teachers and other stakeholders to observe the holy month, which begins today.
According to Kebbi State’s revised 2024/2025 academic calendar, the second term would conclude on February 28, 2025, with the Ramadan break commencing on March 1, 2025.
Ahmed Idris, the Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, said the state government approved the break to provide an opportunity for the Muslim community within the state’s educational institutions to engage fully in fasting, prayers and other religious activities associated with Ramadan.
According to Idris, schools across the state are scheduled to resume for the third term on April 7, 2025.
“The government urges all educational establishments to adhere to this schedule and wishes the Muslim faithful a spiritually fulfilling Ramadan.”
The Katsina State government also directed all schools in the state to shut down for Ramadan.
A statement particularly ordering private schools to close and warning against non-compliance was issued by the Commander General of the state’s Hisbah Board, Dr Aminu Usman.
The statement reads: “In accordance with the Katsina State government’s directive, all private schools are required to close for the Ramadan period to allow pupils to fully observe the holy month. The directive includes extra lessons, please”.
