Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda convened a high-level stakeholders’ meeting on Monday to reform the Almajiri and Islamiyya education systems.
Held at the Local Government Service Commission Conference Hall in Katsina, the one-day dialogue brought together scholars, community leaders, teachers, civil society representatives, and policymakers to design sustainable solutions for Qur’anic and Islamic education.
Governor Radda stated that the reforms aim to integrate traditional Qur’anic learning with modern education, encompassing English, Mathematics, and vocational training. He announced the establishment of three Tsangaya Model Schools, with the first to be commissioned before year-end. He also pledged full sponsorship for students who memorise the Qur’an and meet academic criteria to study professional courses such as medicine and nursing.
The governor highlighted previous initiatives, including the Zakkat and Waqf Commission, the Hisbah Board, and the appointment of a Special Adviser on Tsangaya and Out-of-School Children. He emphasised that cooperation between community and religious leaders is crucial to the success of the reform.
Experts at the meeting noted challenges such as weak community ownership, poor teacher welfare, and fragmented coordination, citing over 314,000 out-of-school children in Katsina, including more than 140,000 Almajiri learners. UNICEF and other partners pledged continued support for the initiative.
Leave feedback about this