The Federal Government has announced plans to take back control of Almajiri schools established during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, which have been neglected for years.
Idris Sani, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children (NCAOSC), disclosed the plan on Wednesday during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA) in Yola, Adamawa State.
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Sani explained that the commission aims to rehabilitate 157 Almajiri schools across the country and restore their original purpose. These schools, initially handed over to governors of the 19 Northern states, have been abandoned by successive governments.
“I have directed my Chief of Staff to conclude arrangements for the takeover of 157 Almajiri schools in the country, built by former President Goodluck Jonathan, which were abandoned by successive administrations in the country,” Sani said. “We have also applied to the Federal Government to help us rehabilitate them for the take-off of normal academic activities in our quest to tackle the challenges of Almajiri and out-of-school children in the country.”
He stressed the importance of collaborative efforts to address the crisis of Almajiri and out-of-school children. The commission is also partnering with the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) to deploy staff to the rehabilitated schools.
Odinaka Chimbama, National Coordinator of CSACEFA, expressed the coalition’s support for the initiative while highlighting the need for increased education funding. “Any nation that wants to develop must invest in education, but unfortunately in Nigeria, even the little being budgeted to the sector is not accounted for or properly utilized,” Chimbama said.
She urged federal and state governments to raise the education budget to meet UNESCO’s benchmark of 15-20% and emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in managing education funds.
“Our work is to support government programs and policies, build the capacities of our members to hold the government accountable in education programs and policies, support the government in developing education policies, and ensure these policies are implemented,” she added.
