Almajiri: We need clear exit route, enough of literature reviews

We are tired of reading write-ups on the effects of present day Almajiranci (Almajiri system of education), causes of the menace, or even why we need to address the problem. These topics have been over flogged. What we need to be talking about are the ‘HOWs’ i.e. HOW to solve the problem, HOW the problem is being solved or HOW to improve on or sustain existing solution model.

Again, the usual emotion triggered kneejerk reaction to Almajiri questions will not take us out of this mess.  Instead, this very approach has led some of us to inadvertently condemn Almajiranci in its totality, which is akin to throwing the bathwater with the baby.

If you uproot Almajiranci without due diligence, you may end up undermining ‘Karatun Alo/Zaure’ (the traditional Islamic education model). Meanwhile, Karatun Alo/Zaure, which can be undertaken without itinerancy, child abuse and street begging,  has succeeded in providing sound spiritual/moral footing for millions of well-meaning Nigerians. Recall that people like Sir Ahmadu Bello Sardauna, Prof. Jibril Aminu and even President Muhammadu Buhari are proud alumni of the Makarantar Alo/Zaure – not to talk of many leading Islamic scholars.

The trendiest and intellectually cheap solution option for Almajiri problems is the proposition that Almajiranci should summarily be banned. What we need is a pragmatic solution, a solution that works well for the stakeholders, including the Almajiri. But in the present context, the following will be referred to as the principal stakeholders: the Government (politicians), Almajiris’ parents, the teachers (Malams) and the general public including leading Islamic clerics. No doubt, a perfect solution does not exist, but any proposed solution model must not only be practicable, it must also be populist in order to survive in the multiparty democratic system we have.

After all, you need the politicians to legalise and implement whatever solution model you propose. But politicians will naturally shy away from any solution model that generates unbearable political backlash or entails unsustainable financial burden. On the other hand, Almajiris’ parents are essentially evading certain financial burdens by sending out their wards to Almajiranci and they will unjustifiably fight any solution model that does not protect such condemnable interest. Furthermore, many of the Malams (i.e. proprietors of the Almajiri schools) sustain their livelihood through ‘The Almajiri Business’ and you can imagine their reaction. Perhaps, the general public, which may appear to hold the least share, is the most formidable stakeholder – very effective in crumbling any solution model that does not resonate well with them. Incongruously, the northern Muslims actually have tremendous sympathy for the Almajiris. Many of them want the present Almajiri menace to be addressed, but would only support solution options that will not in any way, sooner or later come back to undermine the Islamic precincts. In other words, the solution must come from a trustworthy source. Also, another important, but often latent requirement, is that the solution must not precipitate any semblance of ‘I have won where you have failed’. That is, it must not be demeaning or exclude the real opinion leaders in the scheme of things. You can further appreciate the potency of the ‘trust and egomania syndrome’ by observing the quantum and nature of reactions that trailed Rev. Mathew Hassan Kukah’s offer to train 10 million Almajiris!  These are some of the subtle nuances that will continue to decide the fate of any proposed solution option.

A pragmatic solution to Almajiri problems must necessarily be comprehensive, total and politically correct. The Almajiri Model School initiative, which was conceptualised by the late President Umaru Musa ‘Yar’Adua and later supported and launched by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in April, 2012, is a step in the right direction. The initiative, which is quite commendable, set out to build about 400 Almajiri Model Schools and earmarked billions of naira for provision of dormitories, classrooms, vocational workshops, dining halls, school clinics, staff quarters and kitchen facilities, among others. ‘Yar’Adua/Jonathan solution model satisfies a number of the success requirements highlighted above. However, the model failed to fully circumvent the trust and egomania syndrome. Other holes in that solution option are: high cost of maintenance, unavailability of sustainable funding mechanism and weak plan for integrating graduates of the Almajiri schools into the conventional civil service architecture as well as poor monitoring and evaluation.

We don’t have to start all over; President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration should review and build on ‘Yar’Adua/Jonathan solution model. This may be the clearest and shortest exit route out of this mess.  Supports from NGOs and individuals are good, but they should be thoroughly vetted and if found fit, they should be guided to address mutually agreed issues within the bigger presidential solution roadmap. Also, for both employment and educational advancement purposes, we need to be very clear on recognisability of the various qualifications that will emanate from the current Almajiri School model.

Coincidentally, President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) enjoys almost unconditional followership and trust from many of the principal stakeholders mentioned earlier. In other words, PMB may be having the biggest opportunity to put to rest this long standing challenge!

Mr. President, you can be instrumental in saving the future of these helpless children, I think this is a worthy legacy to strive to leave behind. Also, certain components of the Almajiri School Initiative could well be realised through pet project schemes, the First lady may throw her weight in this direction. This is one of the best ways the first lady can complement PMB’s administration.

Hopefully, the people around Mr. President and the First lady would do the needful.

Abubakar Zaria is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

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