FG to Take Over 157 Abandoned Almajiri Schools – A Game-Changer for Education!

The Federal Government is shaking things up! They’ve just announced plans to regain control of 157 Almajiri schools initially set up under former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. These schools, which were once part of a grand plan to tackle the Almajiri system, were handed over to governors of the 19 Northern states. Unfortunately, they’ve been left to gather dust and have long been neglected.

But here’s the good news – the Federal Government is ready to roll up its sleeves and get these schools back on track! And it’s not just talk. The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children (NCAOSC), Idris Sani, broke the news at a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing with the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA) in Yola, Adamawa State.

Sani clarified that the goal is to breathe new life into these schools and get them functioning as they were meant to. There are serious plans in motion to rehabilitate the 157 schools across Nigeria. It’s a massive project, one that’s been long overdue.

You might wonder why there is a sudden push to revive these schools now. Well, here’s the scoop: These Almajiri schools were created with a noble purpose – to give education to children who would otherwise miss out. But after being handed over to state governors, they quickly became abandoned, with very little to no use. And successive governments didn’t do much to change that.

Sani made it clear that the time for change is NOW. He mentioned that the NCAOSC has already set the wheels in motion for the takeover, directing his Chief of Staff to finalize plans to regain control of the schools. “We’ve applied to the Federal Government for help rehabilitate these schools,” Sani said. The aim? This will ensure that academic activities can begin again and, most importantly, address the pressing issue of Almajiri and out-of-school children in the country.

Now, let’s discuss how this plan will affect the bigger picture. While rehabilitating these schools is a huge step, it’s not a one-man job. According to Sani, it’s all about teamwork. The commission is collaborating with the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) to deploy staff to the schools once rehabilitated. With so many schools involved, that’s a lot of hands-on deck!

But here’s where it gets tricky. Odinaka Chimbama, the National Coordinator of CSACEFA, highlighted a major issue: funding. She highlighted that while the government’s commitment to education is admirable, the sector’s budget has not been enough to meet the needs. According to Chimbama, Nigeria needs to raise its education budget to meet UNESCO’s recommended 15-20%. At present, the country is falling short.

“We can’t develop without investing in education,” Chimbama said, and she’s right. But even more concerning, she pointed out, is how funds allocated to education are not always used effectively. This brings us to the need for transparency. Chimbama believes the government must be held accountable for how it manages education funds – after all, these children’s futures are on the line!

The revival of these Almajiri schools is just the beginning. It’s a bold step toward fixing the education system but will require sustained effort, teamwork, and proper funding. The Federal Government’s commitment is a great start, but as Chimbama mentioned, more needs to be done, especially regarding budget allocation and accountability.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed that this initiative leads to a positive change for out-of-school children and that other education sectors in Nigeria get the attention they desperately need. The future of the country’s education system is looking brighter but only if we all work together.