Niger must end chaos in school calendar

Managing education requires foresight, consistency, effective communication, and a clear commitment to students’ academic progress. Unfortunately, recurring disruptions to the school calendar in Niger State raise serious concerns about the performance of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, the agency responsible for overseeing basic and secondary education in the state.

The question is simple: Why should students in Niger State repeatedly lose valuable learning time because of decisions that could have been better planned and communicated?

In June 2026, private schools were reportedly compelled to close one or two weeks earlier than schools in the Federal Capital Territory and some other states, putting students under pressure to prepare for and take their examinations. In September, schools in Niger State, including private schools, were reportedly directed to delay resumption by one or two weeks after schools in other states and the FCT had resumed.

Now, the ministry’s reported directive requiring schools to observe a compulsory one-week mid-term break from Monday, October 26, to Friday, October 30, 2026, has raised further concerns. While schools in the FCT are reportedly observing a two-day mid-term break, students in Niger State face another interruption to their academic activities.

These developments demand answers. What informed these decisions? Were the implications for instructional hours considered? Were school proprietors adequately consulted? And what measures are being put in place to prevent students from being forced to rush their examinations after repeated interruptions? An academic calendar should provide stability for learning, not uncertainty for schools, parents, teachers, and students.

The Islamic New Year Incident was another preventable embarrassment. Another incident reportedly happened earlier this year, when the students arrived at school in the morning, only to be told to return home because of the observance of the Islamic New Year.

To be clear, the issue is not the observance of the Islamic New Year. Religious holidays deserve respect, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with schools observing officially declared public holidays. The concern is the apparent communication failure. Why were students allowed to leave home, spend money on transportation, and arrive at school before being informed that academic activities would not take place? The Ministry should have effective procedures for communicating such decisions promptly once confirmed.

Students and parents should not become victims of administrative disorganisation. Where a decision is announced unexpectedly, the Ministry must ensure that information reaches school authorities and families as quickly as possible.

This incident raises a legitimate question about whether the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has adequate planning and communication systems in place. It should be noted that students are paying the price. Every avoidable interruption to schooling has consequences. Students need sufficient time to understand their lessons, practise what they have learned, revise their notes, and prepare adequately for examinations.

Repeated closures and delayed resumption can leave teachers struggling to complete their schemes of work. When examinations approach, students may be forced to cover large amounts of material in a limited period, encouraging rushed teaching and superficial learning rather than genuine understanding.

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The consequences may include poor academic performance, examination anxiety, weak foundational knowledge, and disadvantages for students preparing for external examinations. The ministry must recognise that instructional time is not a trivial administrative detail. It is central to educational quality.

Private schools deserve fair and consistent treatment. Private schools are important partners in delivering education across Niger State. They employ teachers, invest in facilities, and provide educational opportunities to thousands of children. While the Ministry has the authority to regulate schools, its decisions must be transparent, consistent, and sensitive to the academic and operational realities of both public and private institutions.

Directives that repeatedly interrupt school activities without adequate notice or clear explanations create unnecessary difficulties for proprietors, teachers, and parents. They can also undermine confidence in the ministry’s ability to coordinate the education sector effectively. Public and private schools may differ in ownership and funding, but their students share the same fundamental need for adequate learning time and a predictable academic calendar.

The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education must take responsibility and urgently review its approach to managing the academic calendar. It should publish a clear calendar, communicate changes promptly, consult relevant stakeholders, and provide transparent explanations whenever significant adjustments become necessary.

Where closures are unavoidable, appropriate arrangements should be made to recover lost instructional time without rushing examinations or compromising learning outcomes. The ministry must also establish reliable communication channels to ensure that schools and parents receive timely information about public holidays, emergency closures, and other directives.

In conclusion, this is not an argument against mid-term breaks, religious holidays, or legitimate government regulations. It is a demand for competent administration, responsible planning, and respect for students’ time.

The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education must stop allowing avoidable administrative inconsistencies to undermine the education of Niger State’s children. Our children deserve better than rushed examinations, unpredictable school schedules, and unnecessary journeys to school. They deserve an education system managed with professionalism, accountability, and a genuine commitment to their future.

The ministry must act now because every lost learning opportunity has a cost, and students ultimately pay. And the time to act is now.

Omale Samuel writes via [email protected]