The decision by the four northern states of Kebbi, Katsina, Bauchi and Kano to close schools for the Ramadan period has continued to spark criticism with education stakeholders raising concerns over the impact on students....Read Full Article >>➤
While the four states shut down schools for five weeks, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State reduced the official working hours for civil servants to six hours.
Sharia Council, groups urge more shutdown
The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria urged Zamfara, Sokoto, Jigawa and other states to adopt similar measures. In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Nafiu Baba-Ahmad, the council insisted that the governors had full authority to determine school schedules. It said the closures indicated that the government prioritised students’ well-being amid extreme heat conditions.
Also, the Northern Elders Forum expressed support for the closures, emphasising the need for policies that balance education with religious observances.
The NEF’s spokesman, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, explained the challenges Muslim students faced during Ramadan, saying fasting affected their concentration, energy levels, and academic performance.
In a statement shared with Saturday PUNCH, Suleiman stated, “As a Muslim, I believe that this decision is not only respectful of the sacred observances associated with Ramadan but also essential for fostering a supportive environment for students who wish to engage fully in their religious practices.
“Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, increased devotion, and communal solidarity for Muslims around the world. For many Muslim students, the observance of Ramadan can be particularly challenging when juxtaposed with the demands of a traditional school schedule.”
Suleiman stated that closing schools during the period would give students the chance to focus on their religious duties without the additional pressures of academic work.
However, he emphasised that such decisions must be implemented thoughtfully.
Similarly, the Arewa Youth Consultative Council supported school closures, saying they had no significant impact on the education of the children.
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, the National President of the council, Zaid Ayuba, said the four northern governments were operating in line with the culture and values of the northern region.
He disclosed that the council would write to the Northern Governors Forum to ensure that other states in the region declared a holiday for Ramadan.
“We are 100 per cent in support of the school closure. We are working towards writing the Northern Governors Forum to ensure that it becomes a policy in the region. If they cannot shut down schools, they should reduce the working hours.
“It is in this country that some states are announcing that they are Christian states. Everybody has a way to operate. So, there is no reason for people from northern Nigeria not to operate the way they want,” he stated.
Ayuba added, “We declare holiday for the New Year, but what is the relevance of New Year in our religious beliefs? It has no place either in Christianity or in Islam. If we could shut down schools for New Year, why can’t we for the sake of the beauty and the supremacy of Ramadan, shut down our schools for 22 days?
“In fact, it came out with the unique beautification of us aligning ourselves with our values, traditional and cultural beliefs. We are identifying and aligning ourselves with the northern values.”
Civil societies, Christian youths kick
But the Executive Director of the Civil Liberty Organisation (Northern region), Steve Aluko, said school closures were not in line with the tradition of fasting.
“Fasting is meant to deal with the flesh, which does not require abstaining from work. Education is another form of work. Will they close schools if the children are having international exams because of Ramadan? That is not the best decision to have been taken,” he said.
Aluko said closing schools because of Ramadan jeopardised the interest and enrollment of students, adding that it was not only an infringement on the children’s rights, but also a breach of other people’s rights.
He said, “If you close school because one religion is fasting, what about the rights of others who belong to other religions? Religion is a personal affair and it should be so treated. It should not affect the development of any child. It should not also affect the opportunity of any child to get the very best in life. The school closure is not a welcome development.
“I schooled in the North and I recall that the government didn’t close schools during Ramadan, and people did their best while their religious rights were also respected. It is not acceptable, and should not be commanded by any sustainable means.
“All the governors that are closing schools because of Ramadan are acting contrary to their oath of offices because they all sworn to defend the intent and the spirit of the law as long as it promotes humanity. What they are doing is not in tandem with the position of the Constitution.”
Warning that the school closure could trigger protests, a youth leader in Kebbi State, Umar Abubakar, condemned the state governments’ decision, saying it was not in the best interest of the youth.
He said leaving the children at home would affect their education.
“You will see that when these children are at home, they will just keep roaming about. They will not learn anything. I prefer that these children go to school during Ramadan. I advise the government to ensure they attend school during this period. This will help them.
“If one protests in the North, it will be turned into a religious issue. That’s why people do not protest. If you protest now, they will claim you are acting against your religion, not against the government. We should set religion aside and focus on society.
“As a Muslim, I attended school while fasting. It is beneficial for children to go to school during the holy month, so they learn how to balance education and Ramadan. This will help them,” he said.
Another youth leader from Katsina State, Bako Yahaya, said the school closure was a setback, adding that the government should be more willing to combat the scourge of out-of-school children in the North.
He said, “Northern youths, please wake up. We should occupy the streets in Katsina, Kebbi and other states to protest this mayhem done to us. From the look of things, we (the youth) are not even ready for a change in the North. If we are sincere with ourselves, religion should be kept separate from education.
“We are left behind in education, with insecurity here and there, and here comes other factors that could also hinder our growth, which is school closure. Some students will sit for JAMB soon but how can they learn, and come out brilliantly?”
A senior government official in Kano State, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, stated that if the state governments did not reverse their decision, the youths would resort to protests.
The government official said, “Schools cannot jump the curriculum. Asking students to skip one month of the curriculum cannot work. It is like taking the students backwards while others are moving forward. The youth leaders should sensitise and create awareness across these states to urge the state governments not to close schools.
“The Yobe State government did not close schools; they only devised a way to ensure it did not affect Ramadan. Schools are open, and students are attending classes. The idea of school closures is not a good decision. The youths should also convey their disapproval to these governments.”
The Northern Hausa Christians also rejected the action of the state governors, declaring that Nigeria couldn’t be more Islamic than Saudi Arabia whose schools were still in session.
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, the Chairman of the Hausa Christian Development Initiative (Hausa Christian Elites), Daniel Musa, said reducing instruction time for the school children, even by a small amount, could significantly impact their academic performance.
Musa argued that frequent disruptions of the academic calendar could create uncertainty and instability for the children, making it challenging for them to plan their academic and professional careers.
“Disruptions to the academic calendar can also have economic and social implications. Students may experience delayed graduation, which can impact their career prospects and earning potential. Moreover, disruptions can lead to increased costs for students, educators and institutions, etc.
“The disruption of academic calendars can also hinder human capital development, particularly in countries where education is already under-resourced,” Musa said.
Instead of total closure, Musa was of the opinion that the governors should have shortened the school hours.
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