The Federal Government of Nigeria is planning on establishing the National Commission for Almajirai and Out-of-School Children to enhance skill and self reliant.
The Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Tanko Sununu disclosed this in Sokoto state at an interactive session with Ulamas and officials of the Sokoto State government.
Tanko added that the system would integrate the over 10 million Almajirai and out-of-school children, as well takeover the Government Science Technical College, Wurno, for the formal integration of Qur’anic Education and Skills Acquisition System.
He said the establishment of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children would help reduce the increased number of Almajirai and out-of-school children roaming the streets of urban centers to the barest minimum.
The Secretary to the Sokoto State Government (SSG), Muhammadu Bello Sifawa, who represented the State Governor, said the state would give full support and cooperation to the new Commission.
He said the State was the first to introduce Almajiri School in the country before the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan saw the beauty in it and directed the establishment of similar schools in the northern parts of the country.
The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children, Hon Sha’aban Sharada, said Nigeria has over 500,000 out-of-school children, which he said the Commission hopes to reintegrate in its new school programmes.
With the commencement of Almajiri and out-of-school programmes by the Commission, graduates of the Qur’anic schools would be given recognized certificate like their counterparts in the conventional schools around the country and can be gainfully employed.