By Maryam Abeeb
Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe said his administration would initiate sweeping reforms to reinvigorate the non formal Qur’anic school otherwise called Almajiri education system.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Hausa word Almajiri is derived from the Arabic word “Al-Muhajirun,” which refers to a person who migrated his home in search of Islamic knowledge.
The term is refer to young person who begs on the streets and does not attend secular school.
Buni, represented by his deputy, Alhaji Idi Gubana, stated this in Damaturu at a three-day stakeholders’ engagement on Almajiri education.
He said the reform was part of efforts to revitalise education for citizens to be well informed and mentally equipped to face the growing challenges of development.
The governor noted that, “at the peak of global outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, some states took unpalatable measures that almost strangulated Almajiri education in their areas.
“Yobe carefully adopted a measure that accommodates the COVID-19 prevention protocols, culminating in migration of many Almajiri to the state.
“The Almajiri joined a special programme and took up donated start-up materials for their income generation and self-reliance,” Buni said.
The governor, commended the state Almajiri Education Steering Committee and UNICEF for jointly organising the meeting with the theme: “Almajiri Education and Contemporary Challenges.”
He urged the participants to bring their wealth of experience to bear in the meeting aimed at providing solution to modern challenges facing the Almajiri schools.
In his remarks, Dr Mohammad Idris, Commissioner, Basic and Secondary Education, said Almajiri education was a system of education for learning Islamic principles, values, jurisprudence and theology.
Idris, also the Chairman, state Steering Committee on Almajiri Education System, said the essence of the reform was to enhance the system and reduce stigmatisation of students.
Alhaji Balarabe Kakale, a member of the Presidential Steering Committee on Alternate School Programme, expressed joy that enhancement of Almajiri education was receiving support from International organisations.
Kakale, who represents Dange – Shuni- Tureta Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, appealed to stakeholders to identify regulations that would make the system work effectively.
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