Poor regulation of almajiri schools worrisome – Don
From Ojo Sola, Kaduna

A don from the Mass Communication Department, Kaduna State University (KASU), Dr. Sani Bello has described as worrisome the poor regulation of almajiri schools by federal government, saying that the lack of reliable data has made effective planning for the estimated 9.5 million almajiris difficult.
Speaking while presenting a paper on ‘Plight of Almajiris in Northern Nigeria’ at a 2-day training workshop organised by Voice of America (VOA) in conjunction with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for education writers in Northern Nigeria, the varsity teacher opined that educational inspectors in each state should be encouraged to go round and ensure that the schools meet all pre-requisite standards to function effectively.
“Children as young as four or five years old are left without parental care and anything could happen to these children as they have no protection. There is also the fear that they can be used for criminal activities and even recruited into terrorism,” he said.
He further expressed worry over the increasing parents apathy to girl child education in the North, while urging parents to ensure that they educate their daughters, particularly in western education to give them a better future. He also called on philanthropists in the region to come to the aid of the less privilege in the society.
Facilitator for Educational Project in Nigeria for VOA, Alhaji Sani Malumfashi, in his remarks at the occasion, said the workshop was aimed at training practicing journalists on the need to focus more on reporting challenges facing educational sector in the country to draw attention of key stakeholders in the sector to effect expected changes.