The Federal Ministry of Education has introduced more than ten new initiatives and a breakthrough policy on Almajiri education, as part of efforts to return all Nigerian children to school and empower marginalised groups across the country.
This was revealed by the Guest Speaker, Dr Balarabe Shehu, Special Assistant to the Minister of Education on Almajiri and Out-of-School Children, during the Waqf Monthly Roundtable and the inauguration of Al-Habbiyyah Volunteers in Abuja.
Dr Shehu said the establishment of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children, under the leadership of its Executive Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sani Idris, has provided a solid foundation for reform.
“With the new policy, Almajiri schools across the country are recognised as learning centres where literacy, numeracy and civic education will be mainstreamed,” he said. “These children will be taught to love themselves, love their neighbours and love their country.”
He urged state governors, community leaders, parents and stakeholders to fully support the reforms, stressing that every Almajiri child belongs to a state and must not be neglected.
Earlier, the Chief Imam of Al-Habbiyyah Islamic Society, Imam Fuad Adeyemi, encouraged Nigerians to donate Waqf (endowment) as a sustainable way of reducing poverty and supporting the less privileged.
Imam Adeyemi explained that Al-Habbiyyah has undertaken awareness campaigns across seven states to educate citizens on the significance of Waqf.
“Waqf is as old as Islam itself ,it is a form of trust through which people give to support vulnerable members of society. About 1,400 years ago, the companions of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) donated farmland and possessions as Waqf, and people still benefit from it today,” he said.
He added that although Islam provides mechanisms to alleviate poverty, public understanding and participation remain low, hence the monthly roundtable aimed at increasing awareness.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Al-Habbiyyah Volunteers (AL-VON), Alhaji Abdulhakim Oladipupo, said the volunteers were established to support the Society’s humanitarian work. He urged them to serve with commitment, selflessness and integrity.