Stakeholders confer on new almajiri education strategies

Usman Abubakar, Maiduguri

Stakeholders in the almajiri education across the northern states converged on Maiduguri, Wednesday, November 13, to upscale strategies for the integration of almajiri education system into the mainstream of Nigeria’s basic formal education system.
The convergence, called: Almajiri Education Reform Summit, Pooled participants, notably, education stakeholders, religious leaders, and community advocates to discuss innovative strategies to achieve the proper integration.
The summit provided a platform for participants to discuss issues, share insights and propose actionable solutions to the challenges faced by the Almajiri education system.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Zulum emphasised the need to address the root causes of insecurity through the provision of education for all citizens of Borno.
The governor stressed that improper teaching of Islamic studies contributed to the emergence of Boko Haram insurgents in the state.
He noted that to curtail the adverse effects associated with Almajiri education; Borno State Government has established the Arabic and Sangaya Education Board, introducing a unified curriculum for Sangaya and Islamic schools.
Zulum also stated that the reform includes establishing Higher Islamic Colleges that cater specifically to Almajiri children, blending religious and secular curricula and equipping them with skills vital for their personal development and future employment opportunities.
“The Sangaya Reform is a great development and will give Almajiri a better chance in life, particularly the introduction of integrating western education, vocational, numeracy and literacy skills into the centres, which are also described as Almajiri and Islamic schools,” Zulum said.
He noted, “government’s intention was to streamline the informal and formal education systems to quality integrated Sangaya school for admission into colleges and universities.”