Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State attributed the rise of Boko Haram insurgency in part to issues with how Islamic studies are taught, saying that inadequacies in this area contributed to the insurgency.
He shared these insights while opening a summit on Wednesday that focuses on reforming the Almajiri education system, a traditional Islamic education method common across northern Nigeria.
The summit’s goal is to address the negative impacts associated with the Almajiri system by modernizing its curriculum and teaching approach.
As part of this reform, the Borno State Government has launched the Arabic and Sangaya Education Board. This board has developed a unified curriculum specifically tailored for Sangaya and other Islamic schools, aiming to create a more comprehensive learning experience for Almajiri students.
Governor Zulum praised the Sangaya Reform as a transformative step forward. He explained that integrating Western education, vocational training, and essential skills in literacy and numeracy into Almajiri and Islamic schools would offer students a stronger foundation for their future.
This integration intends to open up new opportunities for Almajiri students, empowering them to pursue education at the college and university levels.
Addressing a gathering of notable guests and educators, Zulum emphasized the government’s commitment to aligning informal and formal education systems within a unified Sangaya framework.
This effort, he believes, will enhance the overall quality of education in these centers and enable better opportunities for students.
The summit serves as a platform for education stakeholders to share perspectives and explore practical solutions to the challenges within the Almajiri education system, aiming to build a more effective and supportive learning environment for these students.
