Niger merges Almajiri, western education systems
By Chinwendu Nnadozie, Reporter, Minna

Niger State government has commenced integration of quranic schools popularly called Almajiri, which is common in northern Nigeria, and western education system.






Integration of the almajiri system into formal education is part of education reforms of the present administration aimed at checking the negative trends associated with the system and also to guarantee education vibrancy of future leaders in the state.

The position of the state government was made known through a committee it set up to work out modalities for harmonisation of the two education systems.

Addressing journalists on the plan of action, the committee headed by the Emir of Suleja, Alhaji Awwal Ibrahim, said the state government was worried over the un-coordinated manner most of the quranic schools in the state were being run especially by people who had no in-depth knowledge of education.

To harmonise the two systems as a way of addressing the problems, the emir said the committee had visited all the emirate councils and met with Islamic religious leaders in the areas with the intent of addressing the problem.

"The governor has resolved to address the almajiri system of learning and its concomitant socio-economic consequences," said the monarch. He explained that the main goal of the state government was to enhance access and create conducive learning environment for all school age children instead of the two educational systems operating at cross-purposes.

Ibrahim said his committee was saddled with the responsibility of mapping out the best way of integrating the quranic schools with western education system.

The traditional ruler, who declined to mention the financial implication of the integration , however, disclosed that a total of 5,000 quranic schools had been identified through its sensitisation visit to eight emirates in the state.

"While I cannot tell you the cost implications, we have collected statistical data on most quranic schools with particular reference to their type, locations, proprietors, staff, pupils and curricular content," he said.

The committee chairman also enjoined the public to send memoranda to the committee so as to assist it towards developing a functional educational system in the state and check the almajiri system.

He, however, warned Niger State indigenes to disregard anyone coming to demand gratifications towards integrating quranic and western education as facts emerged that some individuals were impersonating members of the committee by going to quranic school proprietors and threatening them with closure with a view to extorting money from them.

http://odili.net/news/source/2009/apr/1/700.html

Don't we have history in Nigeria? Why must we study Quran or bible? We have our own myths too in Nigeria. This people are throwing away a chance to know who they are to be what they are not and will never be. This quranic study has everything to do with indoctrination and negative brain washing. We have traditions and beliefs in Nigeria and these things must be taught too. Quranic studies or whatever it is has nothing to do with science and technology but has everything to do with bigotry and ignorance. Same thing with bible studies. Why not provide technical labs for practicals and strive to make information for scientific researches available to the students and throw in some incentives for students. We already have religious studies in primary, secondary and University levels of our educational system. If a student graduates with flying colours studying Islam or Christianity in school, what will be his or her contribution to the society? I thought we were free from slavery but it seems we've not freed ourselves.