Morganable Politics/Public Policy
The reforms also require the compulsory registration of all Almajiri learning centres, biometric enrolment of learners, formal certification for graduates and sanctions, including possible closure, for schools that fail to comply with the new standards
kaNo —
The Federal Government has unveiled a comprehensive National Policy for the Enhancement of Almajiri Education, introducing sweeping reforms aimed at modernising Nigeria’s traditional Qur’anic education system, ending street begging by pupils and integrating learners into the country’s formal education framework.
The policy, recently approved under the Federal Ministry of Education, prohibits Almajiri learning centres from sending children to beg on the streets and mandates the introduction of literacy, numeracy, digital education and vocational skills into the curriculum.
The reforms also require the compulsory registration of all Almajiri learning centres, biometric enrolment of learners, formal certification for graduates and sanctions, including possible closure, for schools that fail to comply with the new standards.
Reforms Aim at Strengthening Child Protection
The government stressed that the reforms were not intended to abolish Qur’anic education but to strengthen it through improved governance, child protection and access to modern learning opportunities.
The policy states unequivocally that no child enrolled in an Almajiri learning centre should be compelled to beg for food or money.
It declared, “No learner(s) shall be sent out to beg in the street or do menial jobs.”
“Any registered learning centre that sends learners out to beg shall face appropriate action such as sanction from operation,” it stated.
The government explained that one of the central objectives of the policy is to eliminate the culture of street begging, abuse and social stigmatisation associated with the Almajiri system in line with existing child protection laws.
Reform To To Provide Opportunity For Vulnerable Children
Officials believe the reforms will provide vulnerable children with greater educational opportunities while reducing their exposure to exploitation, neglect and insecurity.
To achieve this, the government has expanded the curriculum beyond Qur’anic studies to include foundational literacy and numeracy, civic education, life skills, digital literacy, Arabic language studies and vocational education.
It states, “Literacy and Numeracy shall be infused into the curriculum of the Almajiri teaching and learning.”
Reform Includes Digital Education
The document also provides for digital education, saying learners and facilitators should acquire relevant digital competencies to improve educational outcomes and future employability.
It added, “Relevant digital skills shall be included in the training of the facilitators and learners.”
The government said the skills acquisition component is intended to improve the economic prospects of graduates and reduce dependence on street-based survival strategies.
Certificates To Be Presented To Almajiri Schools
A major innovation under the policy is the introduction of nationally recognised certification for graduates of registered Almajiri schools.
The government said the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education would collaborate with relevant federal agencies to establish a structured certification process.
The policy states, “A structured certification process for learners shall be established by the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education in collaboration with relevant federal government agencies.”
It added that learners who successfully complete the programme would receive certificates recognising their educational achievements.
To improve accountability and oversight, the government has also made registration compulsory for all Almajiri learning centres across the country.
The records must include manual or electronic documentation as well as biometric data for every pupil.
According to the government, the database will enhance planning, monitoring and child protection while supporting efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children.
The reforms further establish minimum operational standards for both day and boarding learning centres.
Prospective learners must undergo health screening before admission, while facilitators will be required to undertake periodic medical examinations.
The policy mandates proper ventilation in classrooms and hostels, measures to prevent overcrowding and the provision of separate learning spaces for male and female learners.
For boarding schools, minimum standards for accommodation have also been prescribed to improve safety and welfare.
The government said registered Almajiri learning centres would become eligible for a range of public support programmes.
These include access to learning materials, healthcare services, nutrition interventions, school feeding programmes and scholarships for facilitators.
Depending on available resources within individual states, teachers may also receive allowances to support instructional delivery.
The policy equally provides for the professional development of Alarammas and other facilitators through existing teacher training institutions.
Under the arrangement, agencies such as the Universal Basic Education Commission, State Universal Basic Education Boards, the National Teachers’ Institute and the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria will integrate Almajiri facilitators into teacher development programmes.
The government maintained that the reforms seek to strengthen rather than replace the traditional Qur’anic education system.
“It is developed not to take over learning centres but to provide clear operational guidelines, direction and streamline activities of the Almajiri education system. This is to guarantee the learners’ and teachers’ security, promote their well-being and engender economic productivity among the learners,” the policy stated.
The Federal Government attributed many of the challenges confronting the Almajiri system to decades of neglect, inadequate regulation, poor funding, parental abandonment and widespread misconceptions.
It noted that the practice of children roaming the streets in search of food and alms had exposed many learners to abuse, exploitation and other forms of vulnerability while contributing significantly to Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis.
The policy also places renewed emphasis on girls participating in Qur’anic education, acknowledging that they have historically received less attention despite facing heightened risks of neglect, poor living conditions and limited access to formal education.
To ensure effective implementation, responsibilities have been assigned to the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education, state governments, local government education authorities, traditional institutions, parents, community leaders and development partners.
The commission will coordinate nationwide implementation, establish a comprehensive database of learners and teachers, mobilise funding, enforce child protection standards, support the registration of learning centres and facilitate the integration of basic education, vocational training, technical education and digital literacy into the Almajiri system.
The new policy builds on the establishment of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education in 2023, reinforcing the Federal Government’s broader efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children, improve educational access and ensure that traditional Qur’anic education contributes more effectively to national development while safeguarding the rights and welfare of every child.
