By Hayatu Mahmood
The Religio-cultural transmission of the inherited system of Islamic knowledge by some religious sects, especially in northern Nigeria resulted in serious criticism, with the coming of Western education by the Colonial masters. One may think that there is no end to the sight of young children roaming the streets in a quest for knowledge and means of survival. As Stone age tradition, these kids, popularly known as ‘Almajiri’, that are mostly from less-privileged families, cry to the ears of our so-called political leaders and to the sight of a careless society on which we live.
In 2009, Jonathan Administration brought about a program; Almajiri system of Education, aimed at improving the long-established religious practice, by creating more Islamic boarding schools in northern Nigeria: Hayatuddeen Islamiyya Primary school Kofar Fada, Doguwa local government, Kano state, Model day primary school Tambuwal local government, Sokoto state and Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, Inkil, Gombe road, Bauchi state among others that make the number to be estimated at about 157 to 165 schools. But so sad receiving lots of criticism by both owners of such schools and some political marketers of societal values for their personal political gains. It was also part of the criticism that the then Christian Nigerian leader was trying to Christanised Nigerians, the northern part to be specific.
Unfortunately, the world Bank in collaboration with the Nigerian government introduces Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) which is also another Almajiri system of education in disguise or even worse than they thought about the former system. As an eye witness to the later system Almajiri from different Nigerian socio-cultural backgrounds is observing some protocols introduced by the western powers among which is clapping of hands in appreciating one’s effort in class and saying of “Weldone” in place of “Masha Allah”. However, looking at the Almajiri system of education by the former administration employs teachers from close and associates of the owners, rather than posting of teachers from different Societal angles by the current administration/world Bank.
Looking at the estimated figures, Nigeria has about 13.2 million out-of-school children. In West Africa, Nigeria accounts for 45 percent of out-of-school children. 69 percent of the out-of-school in Nigeria are from Northern Nigeria, with 60 percent of them comprising of girls. The number of out-of-school children in Nigeria has increased from 10.5 million in 2010 to 13.2 million in 2015. Insurgence, poverty, political and religious crises are some of the influential factors to the skyrocketing figures. The system which was/is failed to be subsumed into the formal educational sector, even with the spending of about 15billion naira.
The controversial Coronavirus lowers the number of Almajiri circulation in northern Nigeria by limiting Societal nuisance as perceived by the external and immediate communities. Some of the deported Almajiri were tested positive and were isolated in unknown/known locations. But few were responding to the restrictions, considering blind support and religious tolerance to the current administration by the northerners. Criticism respects no relationship, but we should be open-minded to our criticisms, religion, region and cultural affiliations should not be the basis of one’s criticisms.
Hayatu writes from Bauchi and can be reached via [email protected]
