A break from studies is a temporary interruption in a student's academic program due to personal, religious, extra-curricular, or financial reasons.

9.1 Personal

A student may seek a break due to:

1. Death of a close family member (parent, child, or spouse)
2. Health problems from chronic illness or accident requiring serious medical care or hospitalization
3. Compassionate grounds — serious sickness of a close family member requiring intensive care
4. Insecurity and disasters
5. Delivery/childbirth by a married female student

9.2 Conditions

• Application must be made immediately (at the time of illness or accident), through the level coordinator, and backed by medical, Police/FRSC, or fire service report.
• If sick on campus or in the Jigawa Metropolitan Area, a sick-leave certificate must be obtained from the Polytechnic Clinic or a reputable hospital.
• If sick outside Jigawa or taken in emergency to a hospital in Jigawa, obtain the certificate from a Medical Officer employed by the Polytechnic or a Government Hospital on official letterhead, stamped and counter-signed by the HOD or Medical Superintendent.
• For a family death or serious family illness, the application must be backed by written confirmation from the level coordinator and/or HOD.
• If a student granted sick-leave decides to take the examination, the sick-leave shall be withdrawn.
• A married female student must submit a medical certificate showing the EDD, not less than 6 weeks in advance, and can be granted dispensation from coursework for 12 weeks (commencing 6 weeks before the EDD).

9.3 Religious

A student intending to go on pilgrimage may apply for a break prior to the period of pilgrimage.

• Notify the institution formally prior to the leave.
• Attach all relevant supporting documents.

9.3 Extra-Curricular Activities

Students can be granted a temporary break to participate in inter-school sports competitions.

9.4 Financial

Approval for an academic break due to financial difficulty can be sought only based on academic performance.

• The student must notify the department from the beginning of the session.
• The department confirms the genuineness of the claim.
• The student's academic performance must be at least second class lower.
• Must not be a first-year student.
• The period of break shall not exceed one session.

9.5 General Conditions for Break from Studies

• A student away on genuine grounds (sick leave, maternity leave, religious leave) with supporting documents for not more than a semester may be allowed to resume.
• Students may defer a semester (not the first semester) or session based on genuine reasons with convincing evidence.
• All requests for deferral (except due to illness or death) shall be submitted within four weeks of commencement of the semester/session.
• Fresh students wishing to defer their first semester shall defer the whole session.
• Students on deferral maintain their registration numbers.
• HODs and level coordinators shall guide students on the implications of deferment — it reduces their tenancy period.