FG has integrated 18,670 Almajiri teachers into conventional school system – Imam

As part of efforts to bridge the gap between traditional Islamic learning and formal education, the Federal Government has integrated 18,670 Almajiri tutors into the conventional school system.

This was disclosed by Professor Yahuza Imam, Registrar of the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS), in Kaduna on Sunday.

He was speaking while reviewing the progress made under President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the past two years.

The Almajiri Education Programme is a key government initiative aimed at reducing the number of out-of-school children by offering them access to basic education. It also works to curtail the culture of street begging among Almajiri children while promoting a fusion of Islamic and modern education.

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The registrar said that with deliberate efforts and actions taken to integrate Arabic and Islamic education with modernity, there has been tremendous increase in school enrolment.

Imam added that the feat was achieved through stakeholders’ engagement, virtual meetings, courtesy visits to some State Governors and Ministries of Education across the country.

Speaking on coverage, the registrar said NBAIS operates in 29 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)

He said NBAIS had introduced Special Programme for Huffaz (Qur’anic Tsangaya Tutors) known as Qur’anic School Integration Programme (QSIP).

Imam added that the board had introduced entrepreneurship education subjects in the integrated Arabic and Islamic schools.

According to him, the board had also itroduced Junior Arabic and Islamic Studies Certificate Examination (JAISCE) for accelerated basic education programme.

To further promote and enhance Arabic language and integration of Islamic education, the registrar said NBAIS had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with some key stakeholders.

The stakeholders included the  Nigerian Arabic Language Village Ngala, Borno, Fountain University, Osun, Borno  Arabic and Tsangaya Education Board (BOSASEB) and Al-Amana Arabic &Islamic Board, Gambia.

Others were: Yobe Arabic and Islamic Education Board (YSAIEB), Institute of Education, ABU, Zaria and Tsangaya Education Board Duste, Jigawa, among numerous others.

On infrastructural development, Imam said the board had constructed and furnished a one-storey building complex at the Zaria Main Operation Centre and provided backup solar power for it.

He said that NBAIS had constructed its Zonal Office in Ibadan, Minna and Gombe while it had rehabilitated and equipped its administrative building at the Headquarters in Kaduna.