Government warns of shutdown for Qur'anic schools failing to meet regulations

The Federal Government has intensified its crackdown on Almajiri learning centres nationwide, threatening to impose penalties, including closure, on institutions that fail to adhere to the newly established operational guidelines.

n

These measures are outlined in the National Policy on the Enhancement of Almajiri Education in Nigeria, which was released by the Federal Ministry of Education last month and obtained by our correspondent on Tuesday.

n

The policy encompasses the operations and management of all Almajiri learning centres, catering to both males and females, across the country, with a primary focus on enforcing a set of mandatory standards.

n

Institutions that fail to meet these standards risk suspension after a probationary period of three to six months, as stipulated in the framework to be implemented by the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education.

n

This framework introduces stricter regulations to the system, which has long been plagued by criticism for neglect and abuse, and will be enforced through the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education.

n

All Almajiri centres are now required to register with relevant state or local authorities and maintain comprehensive records of learners, including biometric data, to enhance monitoring and accountability.

n

Operators of these centres must also submit periodic reports and allow routine inspections by government agencies to ensure compliance with the new rules.

n

According to the policy report, any learning centre that fails to comply with the provisions will be given a probation period of three to six months, after which sanctions, including closure, may be imposed.

n

The policy explicitly prohibits the practice of sending learners to beg on the streets, a long-standing feature of the system, and warns that centres found guilty of this practice will face penalties.

n

In addition to these measures, the government has established minimum welfare and health standards, requiring learners and facilitators to undergo periodic medical checks at recognised public health facilities.

n

Centres must also be linked to nearby healthcare providers and equipped with basic first aid kits to ensure the well-being of learners.

n

New entrants to these centres must have basic necessities, including a minimum of three items of clothing, two pairs of footwear, an eating plate and cutlery, and writing materials, as conditions for enrolment.

n

Clear age limits have been introduced, restricting enrolment in day centres to children aged four to 18, while boarding facilities are limited to those between 12 and 18 years, with adult learners to be taught separately.

n

To address concerns over poor learning outcomes, the government has mandated a uniform but expanded curriculum, which includes literacy and numeracy, as well as relevant digital skills for facilitators and learners.

n

Infrastructure requirements have also been standardised, with at least one toilet required for every 25 learners, adequate water supply, and proper ventilation in learning centres.

n

The policy introduces gender-sensitive provisions, mandating separate learning spaces for male and female learners, and requiring centres to adhere to approved academic calendars and open their operations to oversight.

n

Learning centres must allow for supervision and monitoring by the appropriate authorities, and failure to comply with any of these provisions will trigger enforcement actions.

n

According to officials, the sanctions regime is designed to compel adherence to the new standards and eliminate exploitative practices that have plagued the system.

n

The government noted that the reforms build on earlier interventions by the National Commission for Nomadic Education and the Universal Basic Education Commission, but acknowledged that gaps in regulation and implementation have allowed the system's challenges to persist.

n

The policy does not seek to take over Almajiri learning centres, but strict enforcement of the new standards is necessary to safeguard learners, improve education quality, and address the growing number of out-of-school children linked to the system.

n

The Almajiri system, which has been in place for several centuries in northern Nigeria, traditionally involves young boys leaving their homes to study the Quran under the guidance of a Mallam, often relying on alms for food and basic needs.

n

Over time, the system has faced widespread criticism for exposing children to poverty, neglect, street begging, and exclusion from formal education, prompting advocates to call for reform and the integration of modern education.

n

Previous attempts to regulate Almajiri centres have met with limited success due to inconsistent oversight, inadequate funding, and cultural and religious resistance, but advocates argue that formalising the system is essential to protect vulnerable children.