Chairman of Almajiri Schools Association, Nasarawa state, Alhaji Mohammed Ali, said his members would continue to conform with the almajiri system of education while also protecting child’s rights in the state.
Ali gave the assurance in a chat with journalists in Lafia Wednesday.
He said that the leadership of the association had always emphasised the importance of adhering to almajiri schools’ rules to avoid controversy.
The chairman said the association which comprised proprietors and teachers, was conscious of the need to protect the rights of children in the schools.
There has always been constant reminder of this, he said at periodic meetings and the need for those in charge of schools across the state to ensure the children are well trained.
“We often hold periodic meetings to discuss the fate of almajiri system of education in the state and in those meetings, we always emphasise to our members to follow our stipulated rules and guidelines and ensure children in their care are trained properly and well cared for.
“Apart from that, some of our officials often go on inspection visits to structures housing the almajiri children to see how they are doing and how they are cared for,” the chairman said.
He further said the association’s collaboration with the bi-lingual education programme to offer standard Qur’anic education to almajiri children in the state was a welcome development because it would further entrench proper training of the children in the state.
“All along, we have been looking for assistance from government and thank God for this bi-lingual project.
“We held meetings with officials of the project and informed them of our association and now they are trying to incorporate us into their plans which are very okay for us.”
He said that the bi-lingual education programme project which aimed at building three standard schools in the state would accommodate 900 almajiri pupils.
Ali pointed out that the accommodation would help mop children from the streets and offer them quality education, feeding among other things.
