Governor Babagana Zulum has directed the Governing Council of Arabic and Tsangaya Education Board to integrate vocational skills in the 2,775 almajiri schools and 451 Qur’anic schools in Borno.

Mr Zulum gave the directive while receiving a report on Tsangaya schools, presented by the chairman of the board, Khalifa-Ali Abdulfathi.

The governor reiterated the commitment of the state government to streamline the formal and informal education system in Borno.

”The state government intends to streamline the informal and formal education system to qualify Sangaya schools products to get admitted into colleges and universities,” he stated. ”This will help to reduce the number of the out-of-school children and Almajiri children roaming the streets in all parts of the state.”

Mr Abdulfathi said the board registered 2,775 Tsangaya centres and validated 451 Islamiya schools, disclosing that the centres have 12,309 teachers and 224,068 students, out of which 128,789 were day students and the remaining 97,279 were boarding students.

He added that 2,613 of the Tsangaya proprietors were Borno indigenes with permanent land, while 162 of the proprietors were migrants.

“It’s encouraging that most proprietors are willing to accept numeracy/literacy lessons in their centres. In addition, many centres are eager to get skills acquisition and entrepreneurship programmes,” he explained. “Of the registered 2,755 Tsangaya centres, 1,683 qualify for full intervention, whereas 1,092 did not. However, those who did not qualify and have indicated a willingness to accept integration should be considered for support.” 

(NAN)