http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/04/almajiri-project-an-exercise-in-futility-shehu-sani/

On April 12, 2012 · In News
By Emeka Mamah

KADUNA based rights activist, Mallam Shehu Sani, yesterday, faulted the launching of the Almajiri Boarding Primary Schools by President Goodluck Jonathan in Sokoto State Tuesday as way of curtailing the activities of Boko Haram, saying that the scheme is not only “white elephants,” but “waste of public fund,” as such schools were propagated by the Islamic sect which the Sultan of Sokoto belonged to.

In a statement made available to Vanguard Sani also said such scools would not reduce activities of Boko Haram, as aimed by the Federal Government:

He said: “The Almajiri educational system or tsangaya as it is called is an educational system propagated and encouraged by the Darikas, Tijjaniya and Ahmadiyya sects of which the Sultan belongs. If the aim of the project is not to deceive the president, the Sultan of sokoto and other emirs and religious and political leaders should openly call for an end to the Almajiri school and ask parents to stop patronizing same.

“The attraction to the Almajiri Islamic school is a direct result of the collapse of public schools and the general vandalization of our educational system by successive governments including the present ones at federal and state levels. Without addressing the issue of poverty in northern states it is virtually impossible to stop parents from sending their wards to the Almajiri school simply by building blocks of classes.

“The Almajiri system represent child abuse and the school system is a breeding ground for religious radicalization and will not simply fade away by pumping money into it. Head teachers of Almajiri schools also doubles as spiritual consultants of political elites and traditional rulers.”

’’President Goodluck Jonathan’s Almajiri project will fade into irrelevance like the Nomadic Education programme of the Ibrahim Babangida era as it amounted to superficial intervention in a decadent and menacing system deeply rooted in peculiar beliefs and customs.

’’If President Jonathan is seriously committed to addressing the root causes of poverty and violence in Northern Nigeria and other part of the country, he must demonstrate with the same spirit, zeal, passion,speed and interest as wesee him in action in the Niger Delta states.’’

“The attraction to the Almajiri Islamic school is a direct result of the collapse of public schools and the general vandalization of our educational system by successive governments including the present ones at federal and state levels.

“The Almajiri system represent child abuse and the school system is a breeding ground for religious radicalization and will not simply fade away by pumping money into it.

President Goodluck Jonathan’s Almajiri project will fade into irrelevance like the Nomadic Education programme of the Ibrahim Babangida era as it amounted to superficial intervention in a decadent and menacing system deeply rooted in peculiar beliefs and customs.

Kilode?!:
Why can't these kids be placed in regular muslim elementary schools anyway?
Where are their parents? are they above the law?

If they want muslim schools, we have enough examples of great Muslim Schools in Nigeria to copy from. I.e Ansar ul Deen. These kids can be in regular religious schools if the government is ready to enforce universal basic edcuation laws and put their money and judicial power behind it.

There are good examples of such schools in Nigeria, again, Ansar ul deen is one.

Ansar-ul-deen has been doing a great job educating young and bright muslim minds without losing or violating the tenets of the islamic religion since the 1920's - at least in Western Nigeria.


What are these State Governors doing with UBE money for example? ( http://allafrica.com/stories/201108011750.html ) is it not against the Nigerian UBE act of 1999 to have these so called almajiri chiildren roam the streets with no elementary education in the first place?

Again, this is a Problem with a ready-made and tested homegrown solution, why are we stumbling?

SMH

richkids1: I thnink it is not. Maybe bro Jona know that it would be good to start resolving the issue from ground floor up...

anonimi:

You don follow Jona miss road finish.
What is needed is formal education that opens the eyes and brains of the kids to possibilities beyond their communities and religion. Not almajiri islamic education that mostly radicalise them as those in Pakistan, Indonesia etc.

kaiter: Weasting of money. I could remember during my service year in yobe state local govt jackusko.[img]http://www.demama.info/hjk[/img]

If President Jonathan is seriously committed to addressing the root causes of poverty and violence in Northern Nigeria and other part of the country, he must demonstrate with the same spirit, zeal, passion,speed and interest as wesee him in action in the Niger Delta states.

richkids1: I thnink it is not. Maybe bro Jona know that it would be good to start resolving the issue from ground floor up...