Katsina governor’s wife calls for abolition of almajiri system of education

WIFE of the Katsina State Governor, Dr. Hadiza Bello Masari, has kicked against the almajiri system of education, warning that northern Nigeria would be doomed if parents fail to abolish the age- long system of education.

She said the original aim of the almajiri system of education had been neglected, and it has become synonymous with “abandoned children roaming the streets and begging for alms instead of acquiring Islamic education.”

Mrs Masari, at a press conference to mark the International Women’s Day ( IWD), added that most of the children roaming the streets under the guise of attending Qur’anic schools as almajirai, were being exposed to numerous health challenges.

Already, the state has concluded plans to repatriate 7,893 almajirai to their respective home states, while 2,052 out of the number are from Niger Republic.

She said: “Most almajirai today sleep on the streets and other places which is against the olden days system of almajiri education. In those days, people benefited from the almajiri system but today there is no gain in it.

“Whoever is saying children should be allowed to enrol in almajiri schools, his children are not into the system. Most of these children move on the streets barefooted. If you look at their clothes you will sympathise with them.

“Look at the state of where they sleep, usually one mallam with 40 children and if there is any outbreak of communicable disease, it will affect all of them because of how they sleep close to each other. I am not in support of almajiri system of education,” she said.