FG moves to forestall “Almajiri” syndrome, curtail number of out of school children in Nigeria

The Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Tanko Sununu has said that the federal government is making moves to integrate the over 10 million “Almajiri” and out-of-school children with the established National Commission for Almajiri and out-of-school children with a view to ensure they learn skills that will make them self-reliant.

The Minister made this known Saturday in Sokoto, during an interaction with Ulamas and officials of the Sokoto state government on the establishment of Almajiri and out-of-school children Commission as well as the planned takeover of Government Science Technical College Wurno for the formal integration of Qur’anic education and skills acquisition system as  part of efforts to forestall Almajiri syndrome and curtail the number of out of school children roaming the streets.

He said that with the establishment of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out of School Children by the federal government, the increased number of Almajiri and out-of-school children roaming the streets of urban centres will drastically be reduced to the barest minimum.

”I am in the state to intimate Ulamas and the state of on the existence of the National Commission for Almajiri and out-of-school children established by the federal government and to garner for your support and cooperation,” the Minister said.

“We are not in any way trying to rob you of your traditional Qur’anic schools. We only want the students to have some vocational skills after graduation which will earn them a living and a recognize certificate after graduation.”

According to the Minister, the federal government would formally launch the program in Sokoto which is home to a renowned reformer scholar Sheikh Usmanu Danfodiyo of blessed memory.

On their part, the state government also pledged to give their maximum support towards achieving this course as it says it is deemed a welcome development.

Earlier in his remarks, the secretary to the state Alhaji Muhammadu Bello Sifawa who represented the state governor at the interaction session between the Minister, the Ulamas and school principals said, the state government would give full support and cooperation to the new commission.

He said Sokoto state was the first to introduce Almajiri School in the country before the administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan saw the beauty in it and officially directed the establishment of similar schools in the northern part of the country.

According to Alhaji Muhammadu Bello Sifawa on behalf of the state government, the program is not only going to be beneficial to the out of school children alone but will also create employment opportunities for the teeming graduates who are unemployed.

“I am optimistic the new commission going by its contents will reduce unemployment and create jobs among the teaming graduates, the Ulamas, Almajiri and out of school children who will learn vocational skills.”

“The commission should endeavour to employ from the state Junior staff on grade level One to Sixth as done in other sectors operating in the state.

“The state governor Ahamed Aliyu Sokoto has made Education as one of the cardinal objectives of his administration 9 points agenda.”

“The Governor has directed the immediate renovation of staff quarters of Government Science Technical College Wurno where the commission is expected to kickstart its programs.”

In his remarks, the executive secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and out-of-school children Hon Sha’aban Sharada said Nigeria has over 500,000 out-of-school children roaming the streets, which he said the commission hopes to reintegrate in its new school integration programs.

He said the commission when commencing full operation would reintegrate back to school over 10 million Almajiri and out-of-school children into the new system.

“We will also employ over 200,000 by 2027 as either facilitators, teachers, and other skills and unskilled staff in the commission’s designated schools around the country” stated the executive secretary.

See Dollar(USD) to Naira Black Market Exchange Rate Today!