By Abubakar Shekara
In Hausa land the original meaning of “Almajiri” is “pupil”, in particular, a male child undergoing Qur’anic education under the tutelage of a teacher. He, in most cases is a “muhajirin” (from which almajiri is derived) meaning, “emigrant”, who has left his hometown in search of knowledge, finding residence in the household of his tutor.
In those early days, Qur’anic learning was also combined with daily engagements at commercial or vocational centers in town, where the almajiri was exposed to occupational experience. The system was in fact, an all round training in learning, character and trade. It was indeed, a regime for the development of a complete personality that predates Western education in the North by centuries.
The incorporation of begging into the activities of the almajiri is a contemporary corruption of that traditional education system, which otherwise has produced prominent clerics and accomplished personalities in all walks of life. In Northern Nigeria, there are many successful business men, who initially settled in cities as almajiris.
As governments in Northern States grapple with the problems of almajiris, a recourse to these historical antecedents of the system from which they originate would be an appropriate initial approach. Only from that could effective policies and strategies for dealing with the issue be derived.
Recently, the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal declared the determination to pursue a divergent course from that of most of his counterparts, by announcing that his state will not ban almajiris. He said he would rather explore ways to transform the system by which they exist, with a view to eliminating its negative aspects and harnessing its benefits for the society.
Tambuwal’s Government has in fact instituted measures to turn the current menace into greater opportunities that will continue to produce the best future generations for the State.
The Governor reiterated this resolve last Thursday at a three-Day workshop for 38 conventional almajiri schools, organised by the State Arabic and Islamic Education Board, in collaboration with MDA’s, NGO’s and some stakeholders, with the theme, “Turning the Problem of Almajiri Into Opportunities: Paradigm for Partnership and Collaboration”.
“As a government, we will continue to remain dedicated towards enhancing the required needs of the society”, Tambuwal, who was represented by his Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mohammed Bello Gwuiwa told the participants.
He informed the gathering of measures by Sokoto State to engage the almajiris into Western education and entrepreneurship , “in order to enhance their living standard”.
The planned adoption of the Indonesian PONDOC system of integrating Western education and vocational training into religious studies for children, which is similar to the original practice in Northern Nigeria, is a step in that direction.
Driving the Indonesian model is the Sokoto State Zakat and Endowment Commission, an agency already actively engaged in empowerment activities among destitutes and the needy, who include almajiris. SOZECOM has mandate covering poverty, economic empowerment and education.
Tambuwal’s approach to the almajiri issue is sensitive to a traditional practice, which in the past, proved effective as the recipe for the socioeconomic wellbeing of the society. Sanitizing and strengthening the system is giving back the people of Sokoto State what is already their own to sustain for the benefit of the current and future generations.
