Bauchi Govt establishes technical committee on Tsangaya and Islamiyya Education
The Bauchi State Government has inaugurated a technical committee aimed at enhancing the quality of Tsangaya and Islamiyya education by integrating Western education into their curriculum.
Speaking at the event in Bauchi on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Muhammed Lawal, stated that the initiative is designed to expand access to quality education across the state.
“The committee’s role is to ensure the seamless incorporation of Western education into the Islamiyya and Tsangaya system, in line with existing policies and guidelines,” Lawal explained.
He noted that the establishment of the committee aligns with federal directives aimed at integrating non-formal education into the broader formal education structure.
“Our goal is to address the challenge of out-of-school children. This initiative emerged from a series of discussions on how best to collaborate and find sustainable solutions to the issue in Bauchi State,” he said.
According to the commissioner, the integration of Islamiyya and Tsangaya schools will enable them to operate under a new curriculum that incorporates Western education. The committee will also play a key role in ensuring that the ministry has accurate data on school enrolment annually.
Lawal urged parents to take advantage of the government’s investment in education by enrolling their children in school.
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Nasir Ala, Chairman of the House Committee on Education in the Bauchi State House of Assembly, welcomed the development, stating that it would help strengthen the education sector.
“I am particularly pleased with this initiative because, on November 18, 2024, I presented a motion in the House, urging the executive to remodel Quranic and Tsangaya education while integrating foundational literacy,” Ala said.
He pointed out that while North African countries have successfully integrated Islamic education into their formal schooling system, Nigeria is still in the process of fully accommodating Tsangaya and Quranic education within its educational framework.
“This lack of recognition has led to the misconception that Quranic and Tsangaya students are out-of-school children. The reality is that they are pursuing education, but their learning system has not been formally integrated,” Ala explained.
The Bauchi government’s initiative is expected to bridge this gap and enhance educational opportunities for children across the state.
