Achievements and Shortcomings of Almajiri Integrated Schools in Sokoto State

Abstract

This research work investigated the achievements and shortcomings of Almajiri Integrated Schools in Sokoto state.

The journey so far using Almajiri Integrated Model School, Dange-Shuni and Almajiri Islamiyuya Integrated Model School Gagi, Sokoto as the case study.

The sample size used was seven hundred and thirty two comprising of forty two teachers and six hundred and ninety students. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data fro9m the respondents.

The finding revealed that the schools have qualified teachers. It also revealed that the major problem been faced by the students is the difficulty in the understanding of language of instruction i.e. English language.

It is therefore recommended that the schools should organize an extra lesson for the students especially on English language and mathematics.

Introduction

Background of Study

The issue of Almajirai has remained worrisome in the minds of northern elites. This is because the practice has been a source of embarrassment to the region.

The concept of Almajiri came as a result of Prophet Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina.

In Hausa land the term Almajiri could take any of the following forms; any person irrespective of gender, who begs for assistance on the street or from house to house as a result of some deformity or disability;

children between the age of seven and fifteen who attend informal religious school who equally roam about with the purpose of getting assistance or alms; or even a child who engages in some form of labour to earn a living.

According to Muhammad (2010) the concept of Almajiri education in Nigeria started in the days when the quest to acquire knowledge was prevalent, especially the Qur’anic knowledge by the Muslims,

there were no laid down procedures or channels to adopt in obtaining such, except the unconventional way to a supposedly teacher, known as Malam.

It was this Malam that now enlist the child to the teaching of religious scriptures and Islamic way of life are introduced to the young pupils.

References

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Ayuba, S.D.U. (2009). Begging among Almajiri Boarding school Children of Almajirci System of Education in Sokoto Metropolis: Unpublished M. Ed. Dissertation. Department of Educaiton, UDU, Sokoto.

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