Kaduna state has made significant progress in addressing the issue of out-of-school children by enrolling 10, 000 almajiri into the formal education system between November 2023 and March 2024.
The Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hajiya Rabi Salisu, disclosed this while receiving delegations from the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children e-Education and the Almajiri Reform and Employment Initiative in Nigeria (AREIN).
“We have taken giant strides in the implementation of policies that ensure every child has access to quality education. However, to strengthen coordination, I urge the commission to partner with our ministry in areas like selection processes and strategic planning to make almajiri programmes impactful across the federation,” she said.
She also revealed plans to identify child protection champions within almajiri schools to detect early signs of violence or abuse while conducting life skills enhancement programmes for parents to improve community intervention responses.
On his part, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Education on Almajiri and Out-of-School Children, Dr. Balarabe Shehu Kakale, emphasised the importance of recognising almajiri education as part of the national education system.
He highlighted the federal government’s new policy initiative of using mother tongue as the language of instruction in schools and restructuring the curriculum to bridge gaps that currently exclude almajiri schools. He said these steps would restore the dignity of traditional learners who memorise the Qur’an and seek knowledge.
The commissioner further acknowledged the efforts of the stakeholders, adding that Kaduna state had trained teachers, enrolled almajiri into formal schools, and provided livelihood and vocational training for parents as part of its strategic interventions.
The National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children also revealed plans to train 300 Tsangaya school students in Kaduna who have memorised, translated, and written the Qur’an as part of a pilot programme aimed at reforming the almajiri education system.
Hajiya Rabi Salisu reaffirmed the state’s commitment to collaborative efforts, noting that synergy among stakeholders would help change the narrative of almajiri education and promote social integration and economic empowerment for children across the country.
