I want to strongly suggest to the Sultan or Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in collaboration with the Northern Governors Forum and other stakeholders to urgently organise an international summit on how to modernise our brand of Almajiri system.
Countries like Morocco, Sudan etc have done something in that regard. The International conference will enable the stakeholders to come up with a blueprint on how the Almajiri system can be modernised to reflect present-day realities. Many of the Muslim countries may be willing to offer both technical and financial support.
Some of the things that can be done may include developing a comprehensive curriculum for such schools, training of the proprietors and teachers, providing infrastructure in the schools and incentives for the teachers, formalising the schools so that graduate can be awarded recognise certificates to either further their studies in institutions of higher learning or seek for employment where applicable.
I know that someone can rise to the level of a Professor in Quranic science or related courses. We should, therefore, go beyond the integration of some Western education courses and make a formal setting where one can rise to any level.
Vocational skills training can be incorporated into the curriculum. In addition, certain rules must be put in place a least to regulate the process and expose parents who hide under the guise of Almajiranci not to perform their parental responsibilities.
For example on sending students distance places, there should be an age limit for that. Any parent that wants to send his child far away must make provision for his feeding and accommodation and must be 10 years and above or else he should allow the child to study within their community.
We have more than enough Almajiri schools that can accommodate pupils in most communities across Northern Nigeria. We have Islamiya schools across which are not doing badly too even without government support, so why not the Almajiri schools.
The above suggestions can serve as a very good beginning for the upcoming Almajiri schools. Now over to you our political, religious and community leaders for action. The earlier we summon the courage and address this issue the better for our religion and image. It can also help in addressing the high illiteracy and poverty rating of our dear region.
Alkasim Bala resides in Damaturu.
