The Federal Government has disclosed plans to retake control of Almajiri schools established during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, which were handed over to governors of the 19 Northern states but have since been abandoned.
This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Commission, Idris Sani, during a Memorandum of Understanding signing event with the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All in Yola, Adamawa State, on Wednesday.
Sani explained that the commission was working to rehabilitate the schools and restore their intended purpose.
He stated, “I have directed my Chief of Staff to conclude arrangements for the takeover of 157 Almajiri schools in the country, built by former President Goodluck Jonathan, which were abandoned by successive administrations in the country.
“We have also applied to the Federal Government to help us rehabilitate them for the take-off of normal academic activities in our quest to tackle the challenges of Almajiri and out-of-school children in the country.”
He emphasised the importance of collective efforts in addressing the Almajiri and out-of-school children crisis, noting that the commission was partnering with the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies to deploy staff to the rehabilitated schools due to their numerical strength.
The National Coordinator of CSACEFA and Policy Advisor, Odinaka Chimbama, highlighted their commitment to supporting the commission in reducing the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
Chimbama expressed concern over poor funding in the education sector, urging the federal and state Governments to increase the education budget to meet UNESCO’s recommended benchmark of 15-20%.
“Any nation that wants to develop must invest in education, but unfortunately in Nigeria, even the little being budgeted to the sector is not accounted for or properly utilized,” she said.
Chimbama further called for transparency and accountability in the disbursement and use of education funds.
She noted, “Our work is to support government programs and policies, build the capacities of our members to hold the government accountable in education programs and policies, support the government in developing education policies, and ensure these policies are implemented.”
