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Press Release
A Member of the House of Representatives, representing Bodinga/ Dange-Shuni/ Tureta Federal Constituency, in Sokoto State, ( PDP-Sokoto), Dr Balarabe Shehu Kakale, has advocated the use of Skillsficate in the new Almajiri system of education.
The MP has also called for the renaissance and strengthening of the centuries-old, ‘Yan Taru system of girls/women education system of the legendary Nana Asmau Bint Shehu Fodiyo ( RA).
He made this known, while speaking at a Stakeholders’ meeting on the new Almajiri Education Reform, held at the Sokoto State Arabic and Islamic Education Board, Sokoto.
Hon.Balarabe Shehu Kakale Shuni presented a new policy advocating for a “stand-alone” recognition of the Almajiri system of Education, as accorded to Western/Secular Education.
He also called on Government to encourage the new system by putting ban on street-begging not Almajiranci as street begging being a symptom of socioeconomic failures has culminated into exposing the children into juvenile deliquency and other social vices.
The erudite Medical Consultant added: “Almajirai are of different categories but often mistaken and lumped up as street beggers : He classified the Almajiri thus:
“Classical Almajirai who are Schooling and literate without begging, socioeconomic Almajirai are those Begging without schooling, forced beggars are Almajirai as a result of Child Trafficking/Child labour, while domesticated Almajirai are those of irresponsible parents.”
According to him, the conventional “Boko” system of Education as currently practised is broken and also needs reform as it has been plagued by years of indolence, excessive theorization and unproductivity.
This, the lawmaker averred, was due to emphasis on the Certificate qualification acquired by learners, rather than what the learners can offer in terms of Creativity, innovation, and Entrepreneurship and sills development,among others.
Dr Kakale further added: ” This is the right time to accord the Almajiri system the opportunities for recognition, , reforming and mainstreaming, as against integration into the current unproductive, hyper theorization, job seekers creating – conventional ‘Boko’ education. ”
The law-maker used the epic occasion to display what he described as his SKILLSFICATE (Zayyana and Hatimi), and a Digital slate (Allo), to be incorporated under the new Almajiri system of Education geared towards producing an Almajiri School leavers with, V.T.E.A.C:
His words : ” V. T. E. A. C is an acronym for Vocational ,Technical,
– Entrepreneural, Agricultural and Computer Education. Literacy, numeracy, Job Creation, innovation, Self employment are key attributes of the Almajiri graduate.”
Dr. Kakale also lamented the wrong use by members of the general public of the term, “OUT OF SCHOOL CHILDREN,” in describing the ALMAJIRAI.
The MP added,” They are not out of school, but in a different school, an alternative school. “Alternative School Children” is of course a better term, because they are in a school. ”
Discussions were also held on the Women and Girl child education system of ‘Yan Taru developed by Nana Asmau Bint Shehu Usman Fodiyo (1793-1864), a Princess, author, poet and Council Advisor to Sultan Muhammadu Bello.
She ran an orphanage, a sisterhood, nursery, midwifery and an equivalent of primary, secondary and university study sessions for women and girls from all over the caliphate.
She worked extensively and very closely with Shehu Usman Danfodiyo and was part and parcel of the caliphates educational and intellectual revolution. She spoke 4 different languages (Arabic, Hausa,Fulfulde and Taureg) and wrote hundreds of books/poems.
The meeting was joined via WhatsApp video conference by another law maker, who is a strong advocate of Almajiri reforms, former Minister of State, Education and Rep. Member, Hon Aisha J. Dukku (Gimbiyar Dukku), Member Representing Dukku/Nafada Fed constituency of Gombe state.
Dukku also called for recognition, reform and mainstreaming of the Almajiri system, as well as the express full implementation of Section 15 of the UBEC Act, 2004, which captures Almajiri, Nomads,Girl child and other special/vulnerable groups.
She spoke in Hausa, Fulfulde, Arabic and English to the delight of the diverse multilingual participants at the Sokoto meeting.
Other important dignitaries in attendance:
Executive Chairman, Sokoto State Zakkat and Waqf Endowment Commission SOZECOM, Malam Lawal Muhammad Maidoki (Sadaukin Sokoto), Executive Secretary, Sokoto State Arabic and Islamic Education Board,Dr.Umar Altine Dandinmahe, Director General, Female Education Board,Hajiya Luba Abubakar Kasim, Dr. Balbasatu Ibrahim and Zainab Ahmad Binji Amira Federation of Muslim Women Assocation of Nigeria (FOMWAN), and Prof.Suleiman Khalid from Department of Sociology Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, were among the distinguished dignitaries who attended the epoch-making event .
Signed :
Hon. ( Dr ) Balarabe Shehu Kakale, Representing Bodinga/ Dange-Shuni/ Tureta Federal Constituency ( PDP-Sokoto),
Tuesday, July 7,2020.
