Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, of Borno state, has opened a summit focused on reforming the Almajiri education system, a traditional Islamic learning approach common in northern Nigeria.
The ongoing event at the Musa Usman Secretariat conference hall, in Maiduguri, the state capital, as noticed by The Trumpet, brought gathered educators, religious leaders, and community advocates to explore ways to integrate Almajiri education with formal learning.
The summit, as further gathered by our correspondent, will serve as a forum for participants to discuss key challenges in the Almajiri system and to propose innovative solutions aimed at strengthening the educational opportunities for Almajiri students in the state and northern Nigeria at large.
Speaking, Zulum emphasized that reforming Almajiri education is crucial to addressing the root causes of insecurity in the region.
He highlighted that insufficient education in Islamic studies has been linked to the emergence of insurgent groups, such as Boko Haram.
Read Also: France bolsters security for tense France-Israel soccer clash amid Israel-Gaza conflict
As part of the state’s reform efforts, he announced the establishment of the Arabic and Sangaya Education Board, tasked with implementing a unified curriculum across Sangaya and Islamic schools.
This new approach, as made known by him,, will include Higher Islamic Colleges dedicated to Almajiri children, offering a blend of religious and secular studies that will equip students with essential skills for their personal growth and employability.
“The Sangaya Reform is a major step forward, as it will provide Almajiri students with better opportunities by integrating western education, vocational skills, numeracy, and literacy into their centers,” Zulum stated.
On his part, the Chairman of the Borno State Arabic and Sangaya Education Board, Shiekh Arabi Abulfatahi, expressed his appreciation for Governor Zulum’s support in driving the initiative.
The summit, as stated by some participants who spoke with The Trumpet, marks a significant step in Borno State’s efforts to create a more inclusive and integrated education system that addresses the needs of Almajiri students and promotes long-term peace and stability in the region.
