Ramadan School Closure: Divided Opinions Spark Heated Debate By Kabir Abdulsalam

Ramadan School Closure: Divided Opinions Spark Heated Debate
By Kabir Abdulsalam

The recent decision by the governments of Katsina, Kebbi, Kano, and Bauchi States to close schools for five weeks during Ramadan has generated public outcry.

While the respective state governments argue that the move allows students to fast at home, the reality is that this policy further weakens education in a region already plagued by the highest out-of-school rates in Nigeria.

These states, which consistently rank among the worst in education indices, have chosen to shut down schools at a time when they should be doing everything possible to keep children in classrooms.

The claim that students need to fast at home is both weak and harmful. Not only does this decision set a dangerous precedent, but it also exposes the chronic governance and policy failures that continue to hold Northern Nigeria back.

This is not the first time policies in Northern Nigeria have prioritized religion or political expediency over education. For decades, the region has struggled with an education crisis fueled by poor governance, insecurity, and cultural resistance to formal schooling.

The Boko Haram insurgency, whose ideology literally translates to “Western education is forbidden,” has already forced the closure of thousands of schools and displaced millions of children.

Similarly, the Almajiri system, which historically blended Islamic and secular education, has deteriorated into a mechanism that keeps millions of children on the streets, begging for survival instead of attending school.

Beyond security concerns, successive governments have failed to strengthen the public education system. Schools remain overcrowded, teachers are underpaid, and infrastructure is crumbling.

Rather than addressing these urgent issues, policymakers have opted for the easier route of shutting down schools under the guise of religious observance. One of Nigeria’s greatest governance challenges is the tendency to turn every policy issue into a religious or regional battle.

The school closure debate should have been a discussion about education policy, but it has instead become another flashpoint for religious controversy, particularly with the Christian Association of Nigeria threatening legal action.

The question is why a religious body is leading this fight rather than student unions, education advocates, or civil society organizations. Why does it always take a faith-based group to challenge such policies?

If the courts rule in favor of reopening schools, will Islamic organizations retaliate by suing states that close schools for Christmas? Education-focused groups should have taken the lead because this issue is not about religion.

It is about keeping children in school and ensuring their future is not compromised by policies that sacrifice learning for political convenience. As a Muslim, I can confidently say that this decision has nothing to do with Islam.

The Quran repeatedly emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, famously said, “Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.” If Islam mandates education, why are leaders in Northern Nigeria making it less accessible?

In countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia, schools remain open during Ramadan, with accommodations made for students who are fasting. If these predominantly Muslim nations can prioritize education while respecting religious practices, why should Northern Nigeria take the opposite approach?

The first word revealed to Prophet Muhammad was *Iqra*—”Read.” The Quran and Hadiths are replete with verses and sayings that extol the virtues of education. Yet in a region where Islam is the dominant faith, education continues to be treated as an afterthought.

The government claims that closing schools is meant to help students fast at home, but the real issue is hunger and malnutrition. Most of the children affected by this decision come from low-income families that struggle to afford proper meals.

If they remained in school, they would have faced severe hunger because the so-called school feeding program is ineffective and riddled with corruption. Even private schools, which provide the only semblance of quality education in these states, have been forced to close.

This means that even children whose parents can afford better schooling are now being denied learning opportunities. This sets a dangerous precedent and opens the door for more education-damaging policies in the future.

If governors can shut down schools for Ramadan, what stops them from closing schools for other reasons? Will we start seeing school closures for political campaigns, traditional festivals, or any religious observance deemed significant by those in power?

This also raises an important distinction. Christmas is already a public holiday, as is Eid. There is no justification for an additional five-week closure, especially when the education system is already on life support.

Technically, states have the constitutional right to regulate their school calendars, as education falls under the Concurrent Legislative List. However, should they prioritize customs and traditions over national development?

Nigeria is already in an education crisis, with over 20 million out-of-school children, one of the highest numbers in the world. These four states have some of the worst statistics, with Bauchi at 54 percent of children lacking access to education, Kebbi at 67 percent, Katsina at 38 percent, and Kano at 32 percent.

This decision makes an already dire situation worse. The issue is not about constitutional rights but about governance failure and misplaced priorities. Instead of resorting to school closures, Northern governors should focus on strengthening school feeding programs to ensure that fasting students can remain in school without suffering malnutrition.

They should adjust school schedules, such as reducing school hours or providing alternative learning arrangements during Ramadan, rather than enforcing outright closures. Religious scholars and Islamic organizations should be encouraged to promote a balance between fasting and education rather than using religious sentiment to justify policy failures.

Investment in teacher training, infrastructure, and school materials is also crucial to making education attractive and effective. This issue should never have become a religious controversy.

Education should be a non-negotiable priority in a country that desperately needs it. While it is commendable that the Christian Association of Nigeria is advocating for education, this should have been led by student unions, civil society groups, and education-focused organizations.

Turning education into a Christian-Muslim battle does more harm than good. The Northern elite must wake up and stop using religion as a tool to mask governance failures. Islam encourages education, and Nigeria’s constitution supports access to learning.

Instead of sacrificing education for political expediency, Northern leaders must take bold steps to fix the broken system and ensure that every child has a chance to learn. The future of the North, and indeed Nigeria, depends on it.

Kabir Abdulsalam is PRNigeria Staff Writer