Kano govt constitutes 20-member committee to reform Almajiri system

The Kano State Government has constituted a 20-member Advisory Committee on Almajiri Education and Welfare Reform to regulate and integrate the Tsangaya education system.

Musa Tanko-Muhammad, Press Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Kano.

He said the committee is chaired by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kabir Maude.

The initiative, he said, is aimed at improving the welfare and educational opportunities of Almajiri children while preserving the religious and cultural foundations of the system.

He said Amina Yusuf-Yargaya, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, would serve as Secretary of the committee.

He said members of the committee comprises representatives of government, traditional institutions, Islamic bodies, legal and education sectors, as well as child-rights organisations.

He noted that the committee is mandated to assess the existing Tsangaya system and develop appropriate regulatory, integration and enforcement frameworks.

The committee would also develop a roadmap for pilot implementation, monitoring and sustainability of the proposed reforms.

According to him, the reform seeks to integrate Qur’anic education with literacy, numeracy, vocational and life skills while preserving the religious and cultural foundations of the system.

It is expected to recommend measures to prevent exploitation, strengthen child protection and establish a legal framework for the registration, licensing and oversight of Tsangaya schools.

The committee will also examine sustainable funding mechanisms and promote engagement with Qur’anic teachers, parents, Islamic scholars, traditional rulers and communities.

The SSG Umar Faruk-Ibrahim said the calibre and experience of the committee members would help to improve the education and welfare of Almajiri children.

He stressed that the reform was not intended to undermine traditional Qur’anic education, but to strengthen it, protect children from abuse and exploitation, and equip them with relevant skills for the future.