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Silent Classrooms, Busy Playgrounds: How Students Spend Their School Holiday in Runji, Zuba, Abuja


With schools currently on holiday, classrooms in Runji, Zuba, Abuja remain quiet, while students turn to recreational and social activities to pass the time.
A visit by T-Fresh Civic Voice to a local school in the community revealed the main gate firmly locked, reflecting the temporary pause in academic activities during the break. Yet outside the school environment, the community was alive with youthful energy as children and teenagers gathered in open fields and religious centers.
In a nearby field, several young boys were seen playing football, 
Chiamaka, a Senior Secondary School One (SS1) student, told T-Fresh Civic Voice that she tries to balance leisure with studying during the break.

Children gathered in a church hall for holiday activities.

 Children gathered in a church hall for holiday activities
“I usually try to read my books during the holiday so that I will not forget what I learned in school,” she said.
Another youth at the football field explained that the holiday period offers students a chance to unwind after months of academic work.
“We play football in the evening because school is closed, and it helps us relax and enjoy the holiday,” he said.
Meanwhile, some children were also observed participating in church activities, suggesting that holidays are not only about recreation but also about spiritual and community engagement.
Mrs. Scholastica Chibuike, a teacher, noted that while some students make efforts to study during holidays, many focus more on leisure activities.
“Most students focus on playing during the holiday period rather than studying their books,” she said. However, she emphasized that maintaining some level of reading during the break can help students stay academically prepared for the next term.
Education observers say that while holidays provide students with time for rest and social interaction, balancing recreation with learning ensures that young learners remain mentally prepared when schools resume.
For many children in Runji, Zuba, Abuja, however, the holiday season remains a time for football matches, church gatherings, and moments of freedom away from the classroom.
Anthony Eze
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