The Federal Government has unveiled a new National Policy for the Enhancement of Almajiri Education, prohibiting Almajiri learning centres from sending pupils to beg on the streets.
The policy introduces compulsory literacy, numeracy, digital education and vocational skills as part of efforts to reform the country’s traditional Qur’anic education system.
Recently approved under the Federal Ministry of Education, the policy also mandates the registration of all Almajiri learning centres, requires the biometric capture of learners, introduces nationally recognised certification for graduates and prescribes sanctions, including possible closure, for schools that violate its provisions.
According to the policy document, the reforms are aimed at ending the long-standing practice of street begging associated with the Almajiri system while integrating learners into Nigeria’s broader education framework without altering the religious identity of Qur’anic schools.
It stated, “No learner(s) shall be sent out to beg in the street or do menial jobs.”
The government further warned that, “Any registered learning centre that sends learners out to beg shall face appropriate action such as sanction from operation.”
The policy explained that one of its key objectives is “to eradicate all forms of begging, abuse and stigmatisation associated with Almajiri in line with the existing Child Protection Laws.”
Beyond ending street begging, the government said the curriculum would be expanded to equip learners with foundational education and employable skills.
It stated that literacy and numeracy would become part of Almajiri education nationwide, while relevant digital skills, vocational training, Arabic language, civic education and life skills would also be incorporated into teaching.
The document stated, “Literacy and Numeracy shall be infused into the curriculum of the Almajiri teaching and learning.”
It added, “Relevant digital skills shall be included in the training of the facilitators and learners.”
The policy further provides that learners should be given opportunities to acquire vocational and technical skills of their choice or those approved by their parents or guardians to improve their future economic prospects.
For the first time, graduates of recognised Almajiri learning centres will also receive formal certification.
According to the policy, “A structured certification process for learners shall be established by the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education in collaboration with relevant federal government agencies.
“Learners who complete the Almajiri education shall be awarded a certificate.”
To strengthen oversight, the government directed that all Almajiri learning centres across the country must register with relevant state or local government authorities and maintain comprehensive records of learners.
It also requires schools to keep manual or electronic records as well as biometric data for every learner.
The policy states, “All learning centres shall be registered with relevant state or local government authority working on Almajiri Education.”
It adds that every learning centre must “keep records of all learners manually and/or electronically as well as biometric data.”
The reforms also introduce minimum operational standards for both day and boarding Almajiri schools.
Under the new guidelines, learners must undergo health screening before admission, while facilitators will also undergo periodic health checks.
Each learning centre must register with a nearby public health facility, maintain a functional first aid box, provide adequate water and sanitation facilities, ensure proper ventilation and prevent overcrowding.
The government also directed that separate learning spaces be provided for male and female learners and prescribed minimum standards for hostels in boarding schools.
The policy extends welfare support to registered Almajiri schools by making them eligible for learning materials, healthcare, nutrition services, school feeding programmes, scholarships for facilitators and, depending on state capacity, allowances for teachers.
It further provides that Alarammas and other facilitators should be integrated into existing teacher development programmes organised by agencies such as the Universal Basic Education Commission, State Universal Basic Education Boards, the National Teachers’ Institute and the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria.
The document noted that the policy is intended to reform, not abolish, the Almajiri system.
“It is developed not to take over learning centres but to provide clear operational guidelines, direction and streamline activities of the Almajiri education system. This is to guarantee the learners’ and teachers’ security, promote their well-being and engender economic productivity among the learners,” it stated.
The government attributed many of the challenges confronting the Almajiri system to years of neglect, parental abandonment, inadequate funding, poor regulation and widespread misconceptions.
It noted that the practice of children roaming streets to beg for food and alms had exposed many learners to exploitation, abuse and other risks while contributing significantly to Nigeria’s out-of-school children population.
The policy also pays special attention to girls participating in Qur’anic education, acknowledging that they have historically received less attention despite facing heightened risks of exploitation, neglect, poor living conditions and limited access to formal education.
The Federal Government assigned implementation responsibilities to the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education, state governments, local government education authorities, traditional rulers, parents, community leaders and development partners.
The commission is expected to coordinate nationwide implementation, establish a database of learners and teachers, mobilise funding, enforce child protection standards, support states in registering learning centres and collaborate with relevant agencies to integrate basic education, technical and vocational education, digital literacy and skills acquisition into the Almajiri system.
The policy follows the establishment of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education in 2023 to coordinate interventions aimed at addressing Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis.
Nigeria has one of the world’s largest populations of out-of-school children, with a significant proportion linked to the traditional Almajiri system in parts of northern Nigeria. Previous government interventions, including the establishment of Almajiri model schools and efforts to integrate Qur’anic education into the Universal Basic Education programme, recorded mixed results due to poor funding, inadequate coordination and weak maintenance.
The newly released National Policy for the Enhancement of Almajiri Education is expected to provide the first comprehensive national framework governing the registration, curriculum, welfare, funding, monitoring and regulation of Almajiri learning centres across the country.
