Sani Haruna
The Alliance of Civil Society for Sustainable Inclusive Transformative Education, ACSITE, Kebbi State Chapter, has called on governors in Northern Nigeria to emulate Yobe State’s approach to addressing the challenges of Almajiri and out-of-school children.
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The State Coordinator of ACSITE, Comrade Shehu Umar, made the call while briefing newsmen on the activities of the organisation in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.
Comrade Umar said the organisation operates under the office of the Special Adviser to the Minister of Education on Almajiri and out-of-school children, with a mandate to support efforts to formalise the system and integrate Almajiri children into formal education.
He explained that Yobe State had identified and registered relevant institutions to facilitate the integration of Islamic and formal education.
According to him, Islamic teachers and managers of such centres would receive monthly stipends, while Almajiri and other out-of-school children would be accommodated in designated facilities and provided with daily meals to discourage street begging.
Comrade Umar said more than 20 organisations had so far been registered in Kebbi State, while the registration of others was ongoing.
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He stressed that the programme was not intended to take over existing schools or centres, explaining that government would provide the necessary support to enable them to participate and benefit from both formal and Islamic education.
The State Coordinator further disclosed that the national chairman had directed state coordinators to establish desk officers in participating organisations, as well as coordinators across the 21 Local Government Areas of Kebbi State.
He added that five members, known as Education Ambassadors, would also be appointed at the political ward level to support the successful implementation of the programme.
Comrade Umar said ACSITE had maintained a cordial relationship with development partners through the efforts of the Kebbi State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Planning Director, Malam Nuhu Haruna, who he said facilitated links with UNICEF and other donor agencies.
Also speaking, the Secretary of ACSITE in Kebbi State, Malam Aminu Sahabi Liman, urged parents to support the initiative to achieve its objectives.
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He advised parents to embrace changes in the education system, noting that society is constantly evolving.
Malam Liman urged parents to enrol their children in the programme to enable them acquire both formal and Islamic education, which he said would help them contribute meaningfully to their communities and improve their future prospects.