[size=16]President Jonathan Commissions 64 Almajiri Model Schools Today, As part of Comprehensive Strategy to Tackle Age-old Almajiri and Illiteracy in the North[/size]

[b]For the average Nigerian, the ear-splitting noise in the political landscape could be quite confusing. The reason for the noise is quite obvious. To deviate attention from the quiet revolution taking place in several sectors of our national life.
After several postponements due to official engagements, the Jonathan administration on Saturday, November 2, 2013 threw into the nation’s education system, 64 newly completed and furnished Almajiri Model Schools, initiated and constructed by the administration. This is out of a list of 89 being constructed by the administration through the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC.
The remaining 25 have been completed and are being furnished. They will soon be duly completed before the end of the year and handed over to the host states. Indeed, since assuming the reins of leadership, President Goodluck Jonathan has fully initiated 124 Almajiri Models Schools across the country, especially in the north. Last year, the President personally commissioned the first set of 35 Almajiri Model Schools constructed by Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund. The symbolic commissioning exercise in Sokoto was done by the President to cover that phase.
These 64 schools that are now on stream are those built on behalf of the administration by UBEC. Vice President Namadi Sambo took charge of the event on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan.[/b]

The 64 schools are located at: Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Bauchi, Yobe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Oyo, Osun, Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Rivers, Kogi, Niger, Katsina, Taraba and Nasarawa States.
As stated earlier, this is part of a comprehensive drive to completely tackle the out-of-school children challenge that is negatively affecting the nation’s overall development. At present, based on existing data from UNESCO, Nigeria has 10.5million out-of-school children. Of this number, over 9million are Almajiris.
Therefore, the decision to comprehensively tackle this unwholesome social challenge was deliberate and geared towards emancipating the down-trodden in parts of the north and other parts of the country where they may have migrated to. The consequences of the ubiquitous presence of the Almajiris across the north and in other parts of the country are felt by all Nigerians, directly or indirectly.
At the base of this decision to educate the Almajiris is the conscious effort to empower them with the required knowledge base and entrepreneurial skills to survive in a knowledge driven economy. For the administration, there is no room for lip service. Every single promise made must be fulfilled. The President personally promised the northern poor during his campaign runs that he would change their fortunes by ensuring that they have access to quality education. He has done this resoundingly well through the Almajiri Education Programme.
No previous administration at the Federal level established a holistic framework to tackle the Almajiri challenge of the Northern region. It appeared they simply thought that the problem would go away. Rather than evaporate, the challenge continued to grow more complex. What President Jonathan has done is to tackle the challenge head-long for the benefit of Nigerians.
Beyond the construction and furnishing of these schools, the Jonathan administration has developed specialised curricula in eleven subjects that will be taught in these schools to enhance quick assimilation for the boys. The curricula which flow with the mainstream basic education curriculum were based on the culture and needs of the Almajiris.

Many have raised fears about the sustainability of this programme. Given our national experience their fears are understandable. However, the Supervising Minister of Education Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike ensured that the directive of the President on continued engagement with stakeholders at all levels was effectively carried out.
[b]Another important step towards sustaining and expanding the gains of this outstanding contribution to national development was the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the Federal Government and State Governments on the running of these schools. This MOU was signed on 11th May, 2012 after a consultative meeting convened by Vice President Namadi Sambo and it covers the running of the schools, maintenance of infrastructure, enrolment drive, employment of qualified teaching and non teaching staff, provision of uniforms and writing materials and the provision of day-to-day running expenses of the schools. The MOU also provides for the protection of facilities at the schools, impact assessment after pre-determined periods of operation and submission of quarterly reports by State Universal Basic Education Boards, SUBEBS, to UBEC. The last major component of the MOU is ensuring that sustainable provision for the feeding of the Almajiris in the schools is always on ground.
Also, the Jonathan administration has developed and produced a National Framework for the Development and Integration of the Almajiri Education into basic education. This framework is to serve as a guide to states, local governments and nongovernmental organizations to key into this project aimed at providing quality education to these less privileged Nigerians. State Implementation Committees have been established in all states of the Federation to ensure that these kids are catered for educationally, wherever they may be. The Jonathan administration has put in place three models of Almajiri Schools in different parts of the country.
Model One integration of traditional Tsangaya/Qur’anic School into the formal education system within its original location. In this case, additional classrooms are built and new essential facilities provided. For Model Two, the Federal Government constructed the schools with modern boarding facilities to serve a group of Tsangaya/Qur’anic schools within a given location. The Model Three is the integration of basic education in established Islamiyyah and Ma’ahad schools. This involves the provision of infrastructure and other facilities based on the needs of specific schools.
For years, these kids were denied their fundamental human right to education by those who now use them as weapons of insecurity. What President Jonathan has brought to the table is a fundamental shift to the ways things are done. He has expanded the frontiers of the empowerment of the less privileged in our communities. It is no longer enough to give that Almajiri a plate of food at a local restaurant and pretend that you have been nice to him. Encourage him to enrol in one of the new Almajiri schools.
Most importantly, all Nigerians must begin to demand that the states key into this revolution by constructing more Almajiri schools. Like the supervising minister has said repeatedly, basic education is the constitutional responsibility of the states and local governments. The Federal Government is only intervening because of the rot in the system[/b].

For the Jonathan administration, it will continue with the programme by next year. Additional 300 Almajiri schools have been slated for construction in line with the survey conducted. While some misguided politicians continue to divert attention from the work going on as members of the vocal minority, the majority are enjoying the benefits of numerous government projects that have impacted their lives positively

http://weeklytrust.com.ng/index.php/opinion/14509-as-president-jonathan-rolls-out-64-almajiri-model-schools

[size=16]....And Girls Schools in 16 States, too[/size]

The schools are located at: Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Bauchi, Yobe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Oyo, Osun, Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Rivers, Kogi, Niger, Katsina, Taraba and Nasarawa States.
Some of the schools were constructed in parts of the South-West and South South due to the influx of Almajiri children into these areas from the north, the statement explained.
Facilities at the Almajiri Model Schools include; classrooms, administrative blocks, hostels, staff quarters, Mallams residences and Mosques.
The schools are specifically designed to cater for the western education needs of the children, whilst the Mallams who are resident on campus still provide them with Quranic knowledge.
The schools will also be handed over the state governments who are to pay the teachers, while the Federal Government supplies the children with uniforms and textbooks. A memorandum has been signed to this effect.
The statement noted that the Jonathan administration started tackling the Almajiri challenge with urgency because from UNESCO figures, Almajiris constitute over 9million in the 10.5million out of school children in Nigeria.
Incidentally, the remaining 1million still have a large chunk from the north-east, north-central and north-west. These are girl-children barred from enrolling in schools. The statement informed that the Jonathan administration has also completed the construction of girl-child Model schools in 16 States of the country, mostly in the north.
Expected at the commissioning are governors, education commissioners, traditional rulers and education stakeholders in Northern Nigeria.
This is the first time any administration at the Federal level has taken comprehensive steps to tackle the education challenges facing the northern poor.

http://scannewsnigeria.com/breaking-news/jonathan-rolls-out-64-almajiri-model-schools-on-saturday-in-bauchi/

Mtcheeeeew

Fair enough.

buoye1: Mtcheeeeew

Uyi Iredia: Fair enough.

See them!
Will it kill you to say well done?!

Before nko? Who for do am? That's what they voted him into the office to do...

It's no big deal.

Well done Presido

He began the construction of 400 Almajiri schools across the country not too long ago, lets hope these 64 are just the beginning. Nice job


www.nairaland.com/attachments/679290_Alh_GEJ_jpg189e4f18c98a779c467ada63b1c039ce

Good step in the right direction..another way of tackling the Boko Haram menace from its roots because we all know military approach is not the only solution.

Northerners ruled this country for decades yet they have the highest number of out of school kids...and yet this kids will be the one chanting the elites name and will even get to vote them for no just reason other than been from my tribe ..very pathetic

Ok, we done hear

Waste of money joor. If he wanted to help them, he should have bought them more cows.

How are we sure they will go when religion has taken over their mental and 5 human senses. God punish satan. Be free from bondage by attending one today.

ndu_chucks: He began the construction of 400 Almajiri schools across the country not too long ago, lets hope these 64 are just the beginning. Nice job


www.nairaland.com/attachments/679290_Alh_GEJ_jpg189e4f18c98a779c467ada63b1c039ce

I think the article implied that about 125 Schools have already been built- 35 last year, 64 this week and more than 20 others that are already completed but not yet furnished. The article also implies that the Federal Government is building additional 300 other Schools

Right move. Its sad considering the fact that it took G.E.J to see that education is the cure to their ignorance, while their own leaders ignored them.

nameo: I think the article implied that about 125 Schools have already been built- 35 last year, 64 this week and more than 20 others that are already completed but not yet furnished. The article also implies that the Federal Government is building additional 300 other Schools

Correct......

lol....I am unable to upload Pics, plenty Pics

Tinubu and buhari will be shouting ...dis is haram... When dey read d headlines

Can my Christian Child Enrol?

Idoma Likita: Can my Christian Child Enrol?

Is your Xtain child an Almajiri

Almajiri School is Oduah Land?

ba7man: Right move. Its sad considering the fact that it took G.E.J to see that education is the cure to their ignorance, while their own leaders ignored them.

lincolnj88: Tinubu and buhari will be shouting ...dis is haram... When dey read d headlines

what joy do you derive in being d+umb?

I think this is a right move in the right direction. Nice one, Mr President..

nameo: Is your Xtain child an Almajiri

Who is an Almajiri?

•

Fresh air all over the north

This is something that no northern president has ever done in their 36 years in rule. If only Nigerians can see that the ENEMY is the politicians then we can stand up against the so called politics of division. Kudos Mr president.

Dis people call almajiri are not ready to school I served in Yobe state local govt jackusko. They prefar to go farm wt their family than to go schoo I thnk it jst wastng of money

ndu_chucks: He began the construction of 400 Almajiri schools across the country not too long ago, lets hope these 64 are just the beginning. Nice job


www.nairaland.com/attachments/679290_Alh_GEJ_jpg189e4f18c98a779c467ada63b1c039ce

Please GEJ keep doing it for them, let see if they can change and be reasonable. Nice moves by a caring President who is a true nigerian, we would surely vote for you in 2015.

I feel it is a waste of resources. These might be targeted by boko haram members. well no nation can obtain subtantial growth without education. Boko haram members plz stay clear from these schools.