Improving Access and Inclusive

Education in Nigeria:

Update on the Almajiri

Education Programme Presentation by

Chief (Barr) Ezenwo Nyesom Wike

Honourable Minister of State for Education

To the

National Economic Council July 18, 2013 1

Future success of Nigeria is dependent on developing the population to be assets to national development through Quality Education

As a result, the Nigerian education system must

provide opportunities for every Nigerian child to have access to Basic Education

ensure that the education provided is qualitative and related to national objectives

Education and the Future of Nigeria

2

There is high occurrence of out-of-school children in Nigeria estimated at 10.5 million

Almajiris (itinerant Qur’anic School Pupils) make up over 9 million of this number

These are concentrated mainly in the Northern part of Nigeria and a significant number in South-West Nigeria

They pose a challenge to Nigeria’s attainment of EFA and the MDGs and other international conventions and protocols

Almajiris and the Challenge of Out-of-School Children

3

North East North Central

Adamawa 141,951 Benue 14,669 Total for South East

Bauchi 301,980 FCT-Abuja 20,123 2,292

Borno 1,860,000 Kogi 119,462

Gombe 123,923 Kwara 271,258

Taraba 63,168 Nasarawa 45,873 Total for South South

Yobe 220,745 Niger 586,521 20,035

Total 2,711,767 Plateau 75,382

North-West Total 1,133,288

Jigawa 258,280 South West GRAND TOTAL

Kaduna 250,336 Ekiti 11,176 9,961,699

Kano 1,272,844 Lagos 285,102

Katsina 529,530 Ogun 43,764 Source: UBEC 2010

Kebbi 328,000 Ondo 14,025

Sokoto 1,145,145 Osun 264,014

Zamfara 1,118,835 Oyo 189,236

Total 4,903,000 Total 807,317

Estimated No of Almajiris in Nigeria

4

Large number of out-of-school children is a threat to social cohesion and active citizenship

It breeds social exclusion and anti-social tendencies amongst youths and adults

It stunts Nigeria’s ability to grow socially, economically, politicallly and maintain global competitive advantage

Almajiris and Social Cohesion

5

To ensure that Almajiris are provided with opportunities for access to Basic Education

Federal Government set up the National Committee on Implementation of Almajiri Education Programme

The Committee is charged with integrating the Almajiris into the UBE Programme without prejudice to acquiring a sound mastery of Qur’anic knowledge

The programme is to help in the acquisition of skills to enable them participate more actively in society

Addressing the Challenge of Almajiri Education

6

The Almajiri Education Programme is in line with the Transformation Agenda of the administration under President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR

The Transformation Agenda has a key component on Education and Human Capital Development

The 4-Year Strategic Plan for the Development of the Education Sector: 2011-2015 has been developed to actualize the Transformation Agenda

The Almajiri Education Programme is concerned with Access to Quality Education; which are the two strategic goals of Nigerian Education

7

Implementation Committee developed National Framework

Foundation Laying Ceremony performed by His Excellency, Arc. Muhammad Namadi Sambo, GCON in December 2010 in Jigawa State

The Almajiri Education Programme will help to mainstream the Almajiri system into Basic Education

Foundation Laying of Almajiri Education Programme

8

Laying the Foundation of an Almajiri School In Jigawa

9

The Programme is being presented under three (3) models

Implementation of the Almajiri Education Programme

10

Integration of traditional Qur’anic school within its original location. This entails the provision of the following:

A block of two classrooms and furniture

Office, Store and Toilets

Hostel block and Students lockers

Recitation hall with Store and furniture/mats

VIP Toilets

Borehole with Overhead-Tank

Gate house

External works and Fencing

Model I

11

This involves establishment of a model Almajiri school to serve a group of Qur’anic schools with the following facilities: Two blocks of 6 classrooms Admin block (offices, 2 nos. laboratories and 2 nos. workshops) 12 nos. Staff accommodation Hostel block Toilets and laundry Recitation Hall Mallam’s Residence Hand-pump borehole Motorised Borehole with Overhead-Tank VIP toilets Kitchen and Dining External works and fencing Gate house

Model II

12

This is in form of support for existing Islamiyyah and Ma’ahad schools in the areas of rehabilitation and provision of additional infrastructure.

Model III

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A total of 125 Almajiri schools under the three models have been completed or in final stages of completion

36 schools being constructed by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund under the Tsangaya Education intervention

89 schools being constructed by the Universal Basic Education Commission

Construction of Almajiri Schools

14

States UBEC TETFund TOTAL

Day Boarding Day Board

Adamawa 3 1 1 1 6

Bauchi 3 2 - 2 7

Borno 5 1 2 1 9

Gombe 1 1 2 - 4

Taraba 2 - 1 - 3

Yobe 3 1 2 - 6

Jigawa 3 1 1 1 6

Kaduna 4 1 1 1 7

Katsina 3 1 1 1 6

Kano 5 1 2 1 9

Kebbi 2 1 2 - 5

Sokoto 6 1 1 1 9

Zamfara 8 1 1 10

Almajiri Schools by State

15

States UBEC TETFund TOTAL

Day Boarding Day Board

Nasarawa 4 2 1 - 7

Niger 3 2 1 1 7

FCT 1 1 - 2

Kwara 4 - 2 - 6

Kogi 4 - 1 - 5

Benue 1 - 1

Edo 1 1 - 2

Ogun 2 2

Ondo 1 1

Osun 2 2

Ekiti 1 1

Rivers 1 1

Lagos 1 1

Oyo 3 3

Almajiri Schools by State

16

Of the 125 Schools under construction

80 have been completed

45 are in different stages of completion

Stages of Completion

17

States Completed On-going States Completed On-going

Adamawa 2 4 Sokoto 7

Bauchi 6 1 Taraba 1 2

Borno 6 3 Yobe 3 3

Edo 1 1 Zamfara 6 3

Ekiti 1 Kwara 3 3

Gombe 3 1 Lagos 1

Jigawa 6 Nasarawa 2 4

Kaduna 5 2 Niger 4 3

Kano 7 3 Ogun 1 1

Katsina 6 Osun 1 1

Kebbi 4 1 Oyo 3 1

Kogi 1 4

Stages of Completion

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Review of the Programme convened by His Excellency, the Vice-President on May 11, 2012

Stakeholders at the meeting included Governors, State Commissioners of Education, SUBEBs, Traditional Rulers

Memorandum of Understanding signed for collaboration on the success of the Programme

Review of Almajiri Education Programme

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UBEC will build, furnish and equip schools without prejudice to State responsibilities in the provision of Basic Education

UBEC to handover absolute ownership to States

UBEC to continue providing necessary intervention

Conduct periodic monitoring, evaluation and assessment of implementation

Highlights of the MOU: Federal Responsibilities

20

Maintenance and expansion of facilities at school

Employ and pay requisite number of permanent and qualified teaching and non-teaching staff

Continuous training of staff to enhance efficiency

Ensure provision of adequate facilities in the schools

Highlights of the MOU: State Responsibilities

21

Conduct an impact assessment of the programme by collecting appropriate Data for analysis and improvement;

Conduct enrolment drive of Almajirai among the existing Tsangayas in the Community;

Ensure sustainable provision for the feeding of the Almajirai in the schools; and

Monitor the programme and submit quarterly reports to UBEC on the effectiveness of the programme and the effective use of resources.

State Responsibilities cont’d

22

Curriculum have been developed for the Almajiri Education Programme in line with the Basic Education Curriculum

Textbooks funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund has been edited and being produced

Development of Curriculum and Textbooks

23

A study material for Almajiri Schools

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The Almajiri Education Programme was formally launched by His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, in April 2012 in Sokoto

This involved the symbolic registration of pupils and inspection of facilities at the school

Launching of the Almajiri Education Programme

25

Mr. President cutting the tape to declare open the school in Sokoto

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Mr. President registering pupils

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Section of the Almajiri School commissioned by Mr. President in Sokoto

28

Some of the facilities at the Almajiri School, Sokoto

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Mr. President and dignitaries in group photograph with pupils

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Selection of Completed Almajiri Schools in Different

Parts of Nigeria

31

Model I school: Dawakin Tofa LGA, Kano State.

32

Hostel Block

Model I school: Lutful-lahi Arabic Almajiri sch. Ibeju Lekki LGA, Lagos State

33

Admin/Classroom Block

Model I school: Sule Tankarakar Jigawa State.

34

Classroom

Model II School: Bida, Bida LGA, Niger State.

35

Staff Quarters

Model II school: Darazo LGA, Bauchi State.

36

Administration Block

Model II school: Konayi, Paikoro LGA, Niger State.

37

Students Hostel

Model III School

38

A Block of Six Classrooms

Model III Schools

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Central Arabic College Ijebu- Ode, Ogun State

Admin/Classrooms

Model III School: Alhuda Islamic Academy, Zariagi, Kabba Junction, Along Obajana Cement Company,

Kogi State

40

6 Classrooms and Admin Block

Model III School: Olagunju Islamic Center, Ede, Osun State

41

A Block of 3 Classrooms and 1 Admin Office

ALMAJIRI MODEL ONE –MUBI NORTH, ADAMAWA STATE

42

ALMAJIRI ONE AT IGABI LGA, KADUNA STATE

43

ALMAJIRI MODEL TWO AT KUDAN LGA, KADUNA STATE

44

ALMAJIRI ONE AT DAURA LGA, KATSINA STATE

45

ALMAJIRI MODEL ONE AT ETSAKO WEST LGA, EDO STATE

46

GATE HOUSE

47

TOILET

HOSTEL

OVERHEAD TANK

ALMAJIRI MODEL ONE AT JERE LGA, BORNO STATE

48

ALMAJIRI MODEL TWO AT SADE DARAZO LGA, BAUCHI STATE

49

AMIRS’ RESIDENCE

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STAFF QUARTERS

DINNING HALL

ALMAJIRI ONE AT IBEJU/ LEKKI LGA, LAGOS STATE

51

Enrolment of pupils in the schools

Recruit and deploy teachers to the schools

Integrate Alarammas/Mallams/Proprietors into the Programme

Provision of adequate materials, uniforms, etc

Feeding and retention strategy

Adopt and replicate including construction of additional schools

Ensure sustainability by States

Challenges

52

Formal handover of the schools to the States by His Excellency, the Vice-President

Access campaign to encourage enrolment

Recruit and deploy teachers and other educational personnel to existing schools

Develop retention and sustainability strategy for schools

Seeks support of local and international groups in the growth of the Programme

Next Steps

53

The Almajiri Education Programme will enhance the attainment of EFA and MDGs

Will provide opportunities for tapping the talents of Nigerian youths towards participating in national development

Commitment of States is required to enhance success of the Programme

Access campaign to encourage enrolment is necessary

Retention and sustainability strategy is necessary to enhance success

Conclusion

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Thank you

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