The member representing Bodinga/Dange-Shuni Federal Constituency of Sokoto State says he is pushing for the reform of the almajiri system of education to ensure sanity of the system.
Dr. Balarabe Kakale noted that neglect, poor attention and improper recognition have endangered the lives of almajiri pupils which, he noted, had impacted on the security, education, economic and health systems in the country.
‘‘My prepared document is targeted at Recognition, Reform and Mainstreaming (RRM) of the almajiri system of education to ensure optimal productivity as well as sanity of the system.
‘‘I am pushing for the federal government to recognise the system with allocation of funds and other concerns that will improve the system.
“UBEC laws need to be repealed to capture almajiri education on funding,” he explained.
He was speaking in Sokoto during a stakeholders meeting with members of his constituency among them Islamic scholars, representatives of civil society organisations, Sokoto State Zakkat Board, Sokoto State Arabic and Islamic Education Board and Miyetti Allah.
Dr Kakale stressed that the almajiri form of education should be fully funded by all the tiers of government in the country as is done for western education.
He also urged the federal government to give the same recognition on certificate to the Qur’anic education as it is done to Western education.
“The system of almajirai education we are calling for is not the way in which people take their wards for begging, but a corporate system in which they will not only learn Arabic but also be computer literate.
‘‘I am in contact with federal lawmakers from different parts of Nigeria, relevant education agencies and departments, state legislatures and others on the efforts,” he stated.
He said as members of Nigerian communities, the almajirai deserve all the required attention.
The Executive Secretary, Sokoto State Arabic and Islamic Board, Dr. Umar Altine, lauded the initiative.
He noted that reforming the almajiri system of education would go a long way in redressing some socio-economic problems in society.
