Stakeholders in Bauchi State on Friday called for the integration of Almajiri education into the modern education system in Nigeria.
They made the call during an advocacy visit to relevant ministries, organized by the Center for Civil Society Legislative Advocacy (CISLAC) in Bauchi.
The move, they said, will solve the problem of street begging and out-of-school children.
Ms. Comfort Attah, Executive Director of Attah Sisters Helping Hand (ASHH) said, “This will ensure that children learn Western and Islamic knowledge simultaneously.
“We also need to upgrade the existing structures for better impact on the Almajiri system,” she said.
Also speaking, Hajiya Jamila Sule, Civil Society Representative of (CSO) said there is a need to overhaul the education system in Almajiri.
“Budgetary provisions should be made in annual state budgets to ensure the well-being of the Almajiri system for lasting impact. Instead of ad hoc government interventions that have no future and deprive Almajiri children of their rights and opportunities,” Sule said.
Sule called for funds and resources to be set aside for the almajiri response program and given directly to their managers to avoid diversion.
Also speaking, CISLAC’s Ms. Lovelyn Gabriel urged the government to accelerate efforts to pass child protection laws that align with the culture and beliefs of the people of the state.
Gabriel also called on stakeholders to engage in the protection of Almajiri children.
“It is unfortunate that the Almajiri children have been in the field of health.
In response, Mr. Jibrin Yusuf, Technical Director of Donors and Cooperation of the Ministry of Budget and Planning, urged NGOs and CSOs to advocate with relevant ministries for the inclusion of the almajiri system in their budget.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the participants made an advocacy visit to relevant ministries including Education, Women and Child Development, Religious Affairs and Budget and Planning , among others. (NOPE)
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