The Federal Government has announced plans to take over control of the Almajiri schools, originally built during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. These schools were handed over to governors of the 19 northern states but have been neglected by subsequent administrations.
The disclosure was made by Dr. Idris Sani, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children, during a Memorandum of Understanding signing event with the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All in Yola on Wednesday.
Sani stated that arrangements were underway to rehabilitate and reactivate the 157 Almajiri schools across northern Nigeria. This move aims to address the challenges faced by Almajiri and out-of-school children in the country.
“I have directed my Chief of Staff to finalize arrangements for the takeover of these schools, which were abandoned after their establishment,” Sani noted. He added that the Federal Government has been asked for support to rehabilitate the schools and resume normal academic activities.
He also emphasized the importance of a united approach to address the crisis of Almajiri and out-of-school children. The commission is collaborating with the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies to deploy teaching staff to the rehabilitated schools once they are operational.
Sani reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring the schools fulfill their original purpose of providing education to marginalized children in the northern region.