News
Govt closes schools for 5 weeks for Ramadan
- /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/bauchi-state-map.jpg&description=Govt closes schools for 5 weeks for Ramadan', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/bauchi-state-map.jpg&description=Govt closes schools for 5 weeks for Ramadan', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
The Bauchi State government has declared a five-week closure of schools in light of the Ramadan observance.
In accordance with the directive, educational institutions will be closed from February 26, 2025, until the conclusion of Ramadan and the Salah celebration, with classes set to resume on April 5.
An official academic calendar obtained by SaharaReporters indicates that the second term of the 2024/2025 academic year commenced on January 5, 2025. The state government has chosen to split the term into two phases: the first phase lasting from January 5 to February 28, followed by a five-week break from March 1 to April 5, after which classes will continue from April 6 to April 29.
However, this directive has not been well received by private school owners, particularly those of Christian faith, who argue that due to the diverse student population, the government’s order should not deny all students access to education.
SaharaReporters’ findings revealed that in previous years, the state government also mandated school closures.
However, after interventions from education sector stakeholders, the government allowed schools to decide for themselves—permitting those that wished to close to do so, while others were allowed to remain open.
“This is not the first time the school will be ordered to close, we have had such case before and we set up a committee that liaised with the state education commissioner, who relaxed the order,” a source told SaharaReporters.
However, it was learned that the state government took a different approach this time, insisting that all schools must close during the Ramadan fasting period.
Unhappy with the government’s decision, particularly the controversial calendar that halts education for five weeks for Nursery, Primary, and Secondary school students, a group known as “Christian-faith based schools” in Bauchi has opposed the directive and is seeking intervention.
In a letter obtained by SaharaReporters, signed by Musa Bogoro Zakka—the immediate past Chairman of Private School Owners in Bauchi Local Government and the 2015 Bauchi State Chairman of the National Association of Private School Owners—the group appealed to the Christian Association of Nigeria to advocate on behalf of Christian students to the state government.
The letter reads, “We are writing on behalf of the Christian-faith-based schools in Bauchi State to bring to your attention to the implication of the Bauchi State Ministry of Education Academic Calendar 2024/2025 session for nursery/Primary and Secondary Schools which mandates all schools (private and public) to outrightly close during the Ramadan Fast, which begins from 1st March 5th April 2025.
“When we made an observation at the beginning, we were told that even CAN was part of the stakeholders who planned the calendar and we cannot be more Christians.
“However, as the days draw closer, the feedback from the Christian faith-based schools necessitates the request to have an audience with you and raise our concerns for a way forward.”
The group argued that staying at home for Five (5) weeks and resuming to conclude the term “will definitely affect the preparations of students towards external examinations (WAEC, NECO, and JAMB) since our syllabi may not be covered.”
They also noted that the “proposed calendar will surely damage the morals of students who are expected to return and start writing examinations, and continue another term without break for 14 weeks while teachers’ mark record and are still expected to discharge their duties simultaneously and seamlessly”.
The group also argued that the closure could harm peaceful coexistence between Christian and Muslim students in the state, as it might be seen as forcing all students to stay at home regardless of their religious affiliations.
They further accused the state government of discriminating against private schools, noting that tertiary institutions and civil servants were not required to suspend activities during Ramadan.
However, Musa Zakka, chairman of the Christian-faith based school owners committee, told SaharaReporters that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) did not provide adequate support in their efforts to engage with the state government.
“We requested to meet with CAN but we were never granted an audience, we wanted to reach the state government through the Christian Association of Nigeria but we were not successful,” he told SaharaReporters.
Although the state government allegedly claimed that it consulted all religious leaders, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), before creating the calendar that grants a five-week break for Ramadan, the CAN chairman in the state, Abraham Damina, denied being consulted or formally informed about the school closure.
“I was not consulted, neither was CAN consulted. Nobody from the state government reached out to me, I was not informed of the plan,” he told SaharaReporters, insisting that CAN was not party to the process that led to the decision to shut down schools for five weeks.
He also denied any knowledge of the letter from the Christian-faith group protesting the government’s decision to close schools for five weeks.
When asked for his views on the matter, he declined to comment, stating that if he had been informed about the school closures, he would have contacted the relevant authorities before making any public statements.
Meanwhile, Musa Hardo, the Bauchi State Chairman for Private School Owners, defended the government’s decision.
“The decision was reached based on the academic calendar drawn by the government, and reached after consultation with different groups including religious leaders,” he said.
“If you say the five-week break is because of Ramadan and you are angry, what about during Christmas. Should children now say they would not go on break during the period too?”
He noted that the decision does not create an exception for anyone, as schools are required to shut down during the period specified in the calendar.
Hardo also asserted that the CAN chairman was invited to be a part of the committee that decided the school calendar.
While acknowledging that he was not present at the meeting himself, he mentioned that his secretary, who represented the association, reported that the CAN chairman was invited.
Bauchi State Government Threaten Schools with Sanctions
SaharaReporters has learned that the state government has been issuing threats to private schools, warning that failure to comply with the school closure mandate would result in sanctions.
In a circular sent to private schools by the head of private schools in the state ministry of education, it was stated that private schools must adhere to the government directive.
It reads, “I am directed to inform you that the official closing date of all Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools in the State is Wednesday 26th February, 2025. All Private Schools must comply with the academic calendar.
“Although, the liberty of one week before or after, still stands (but with a concrete reason).”
“The Local Government Taskforce on Private Schools are instructed by the Ministry to forward the name of school(s) that refuse to comply, for further necessary action, please,” the statement noted.
Bauchi State Leads In Highest Number Of Children Deprived Of Education
SaharaReporters reviewed data from the National Bureau of Statistics’ multidimensional poverty index.
According to the data, 74% of children in the state have failed to achieve educational attainment, placing it among the top six states with the highest number of children facing educational failure.
The NBS data also indicates that the state has the highest percentage of children deprived of education, at 54%. This figure is significantly higher than the national average of 34% and surpasses even crisis-affected states like Zamfara (44%) and Borno (48%).
Checks by SaharaReporters reveal that states like Kwara and Sokoto have reduced the number of hours for academic classes due to Ramadan, although outright closures were not announced in these states.
SaharaReporters attempted to contact the Senior Special Adviser to the Bauchi State governor on media, Muhktar Gidado, but he did not respond to phone calls as of the time of this report.
Credit: SaharaReporters
The Anambra State Government has said it is still servicing loans inherited from the administrations of former governors Peter Obi and Willie Obiano, even as it maintains that Governor Chukwuma Soludo has not borrowed from any commercial bank since assuming office.
The Commissioner for Finance, Izuchukwu Okafor, said the state’s debt burden had fallen by more than 83 per cent under Soludo, with the administration also clearing several inherited domestic obligations.
Okafor disclosed this during a Ndi Anambra podcast uploaded by Anambra State New Media on Monday while explaining the state’s finances and debt position.
He said repayments on loans secured by previous administrations continued to be deducted from Anambra’s allocation through the Federation Account Allocation Committee, including obligations dating back to the Obi and Obiano administrations.
“Yes, every month during our FAC meetings, and when you see the schedule of FAC, you will notice there were substantial, significant deductions from our own FAC because of loans previously borrowed by previous administrations,” Okafor said.
“These loans were borrowed, you know, during the time of, even, not the immediate predecessor, even during the time of Peter Obi and Willie Obiano, His Excellency, the past governors,” he said.
According to the commissioner, the Soludo administration had focused on managing the inherited obligations while avoiding new commercial borrowing.
“It’s on record, you know, that this administration has not borrowed a kobo from any commercial bank since the inception of this administration,” he said.
Okafor said the government had also settled a number of legacy liabilities, including unpaid contracts, gratuity and pension arrears, bringing the state’s domestic debt close to zero.
“But I will give you an example for our domestic debt, the control, the legacy, what we call legacy debts, you know, the contracts that were not paid, not owing, the gratuity arrears, pension arrears, we’ve been able to clear all that,” he said.
He added, “In terms of, so, our domestic debt as of today is near-zero balance.”
The commissioner attributed the reduction in the overall debt burden to repayments made by the administration, saying several inherited loans had already been settled.
“But I will also say that Mr Governor has not borrowed a penny. We have been able to manage the debt, the state debt, very well, that we have brought it down by more than 83 per cent as of today. I’ve been able to repay back most of these loans,” he said.
External obligations, however, remain part of the state’s financial commitments. Okafor explained that repayments on some foreign-denominated loans are deducted from the state’s federal allocation under the terms attached to the facilities.
“But following as well, external debts, which is foreign loan-denominated debts, when you look at it, because there are some covenants around the period it will take to pay off these loans, particularly deducted as such when we are doing FAC,” he said.
“Before they limit Anambra’s own allocation, they will deduct it as such, because most of them, World Bank loans and other loans, they committed.”
Okafor also disclosed that the state had recently fully repaid one of its debts.
“There is one debt that we recently paid off, CAGS,” he said.
He said the reduction in inherited liabilities had given the government more room to finance other priorities.
“So, in a nutshell, I’ve been able to, you know, create more fiscal space for Anambra State,” Okafor said.
He added, “This administration has been able to create more by paying off, you know, backlog of numerous debts inherited from previous governments, starting from the time of Peter Obi.”
No fewer than nine passengers were killed when gunmen opened fire on a commercial bus at Dungus Junction in Kuru community, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Residents told journalists that the incident occurred when the bus driver parked to allow some passengers alight at the junction.
According to Daily Trust the bus which was heading to Jos was stained with blood and riddled with bullets.
Lawan Suleiman, a neighbor and teacher of one of the victims, confirmed the incident, adding that the attack occurred while the bus was stopped at the junction.
He said, “The driver is Ibrahim and he was my student. Three of them are from our community here in Bukuru. Their bodies have been deposited at the hospital. But relatives are preparing to collect them for burial.”
Spokesman of the Berom Youth Moulders, BYM, Rwang Tengwong, also confirmed the incident saying the victims were passengers travelling to Jos when the attackers opened fire on their vehicle.
“The incident happened around 9.40p.m. The victims were all passengers travelling to Jos when the terrorists opened fire on the vehicle. Among those killed was a member of Operation Rainbow. It is a very sad development and we lament the loss of lives.”
According to him, some of the passengers sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to hospitals, where some later died.
Plateau state police command is yet to issue a statement regarding the incident as of press. (Daily Trust)
More than 600 senior lecturers from public universities across Northern Nigeria have declared their support for President Bola Tinubu’s bid to secure another term in the 2027 presidential election.
As reported by DAILY TRUST, the lecturers made their position known at a stakeholders’ meeting in Kaduna convened by the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Ibrahim Masari, to discuss the administration’s performance and the country’s political direction ahead of the next general election.
The meeting, held at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Centre, attracted several northern political leaders, including Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal, Yobe Governor Mai Mala Buni, Borno Governor Babagana Zulum and Gombe Governor Inuwa Yahaya.
The Minister of Defence, Bello Matawalle, Minister of Housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, and former Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, were also among those who attended the engagement.
Presenting the communiqué, the Vice Chancellor of Kaduna State University, Prof Abdullahi Ibrahim Musa, said the academics assessed Tinubu’s administration since May 2023, including its handling of the economy, security, education, infrastructure and social development.
According to the lecturers, although some government reforms had increased the economic burden on Nigerians through higher living and transportation costs, the measures had also improved government revenue and public finances. They further cited developments in education funding, agriculture, infrastructure, business support and the digital economy.
The academics subsequently resolved to support Tinubu’s re-election but cautioned that their backing was not an unconditional endorsement.
They called on the Federal Government to urgently address food and transport costs, unemployment and insecurity, while strengthening investment in education, healthcare, agriculture, electricity, roads and other infrastructure in the North.
However, the Academic Staff Union of Universities distanced itself from the declaration, with its President, Prof Chris Piwuna, insisting that ASUU remains politically neutral.
Piwuna said individual lecturers were free to support any political party or candidate of their choice, but stressed that such decisions must not be attributed to the union.
“We have never, and we will never endorse any political party candidate. Nobody should drag us into such things,” the ASUU president said.
The endorsement came as political consultations intensify ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with the Tinubu camp seeking the backing of influential groups across Northern Nigeria.
Gov. Soludo reveals Obi, Obiano accumulated debts still hanging on Anambra
Sad: Nine passengers killed as gunmen open fire on bus in Plateau
Over 600 senior lecturers back Tinubu, ASUU disowns approval
-
News14 hours agoThey Are Permanently Silent – Ortom Challenges Alia To Account For ₦1.2trn FAAC Revenue Since 2023
-
Entertainment13 hours agoCeline Dion Weeps On Stage As She Returns To The Stage After Six Years
-
News14 hours ago2027: Why Igbos May Not Vote APC Despite Governors’ Defection — Party Chieftain
-
News13 hours agoArmy Denies Reports Of Islamic Scholars Abduction In Senator Yariu’s House
-
Politics13 hours agoComparative analysis as Obi lists ten achievements in public office, Tinubu’s ten failures as president
-
Sports22 hours agoHaaland came through as 10-men Man City defeats Manchester United
-
News14 hours agoSad! Cross River Commissioner dies in Abuja
-
Economy13 hours agoPetrol price hits N1,430 as Dangote raises depot rate
Warning: Undefined variable $user_ID in /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/themes/zox-news/comments.php on line 49
You must be logged in to post a comment Login