Almajiri System of Education in Northern Nigeria: Implications for National Development

Abstract

This paper advocates ways to tackle the age long Almajiri culture which has become a menace to the Nigerian society. It notes that the Almajiri system of education in its originality could not have contemplated the ways the practice has been abused in modern times, to wit, the Almajrai are now turned into child labour ‘profession’. They fend for themselves and are equally exploited by their parasitic teachers (Mallams). It further notes that, for some time now, factors such as poverty, government neglect, parental irresponsibility, population explosion occasioned by culture of marrying many wives, undue emphasis on Qu’ranic literacy, etc., have bedeviled the Almajiri system of education in Northern Nigeria. This no doubt has affected the socio-economic development of the zone as well as national development.  For instance, out of about 13.2 million children of school age that are out of school, North alone has about 70% of the number.  This ugly situation which is a sign of educational under-development requires that urgent solutions be proffered to this menace. To do this, government at all levels should eliminate street begging; and ensure that all children are compulsorily enrolled in an integrated education system with emphasis on vocational and entrepreneurial education. This is necessary because to continue having a growing army of uneducated children roaming the street will end up spelling doom to the country.