The Federal Government has introduced a new National Policy for the Enhancement of Almajiri Education, banning the practice of sending Almajiri pupils to beg on the streets and introducing measures to modernise the traditional Qur’anic education system.

The policy, approved by the Federal Ministry of Education, makes literacy, numeracy, digital education and vocational training compulsory for learners while preserving the religious identity of Qur’anic schools.

Under the new framework, all Almajiri learning centres must register with relevant state or local government authorities, maintain manual or electronic records of learners, and capture their biometric data. Graduates of recognised centres will also receive nationally recognised certificates.

The government warned that registered schools found sending children out to beg or engage in menial jobs would face sanctions, including possible closure. According to the policy, the reforms are designed to eliminate street begging, child abuse and the stigma associated with the Almajiri system while protecting the rights and welfare of learners.

In addition to Qur’anic studies, the curriculum will include civic education, life skills, Arabic language, digital literacy and vocational training to improve learners’ future opportunities.

The policy also sets minimum standards for learning centres, requiring health screening for learners before admission, periodic medical checks for facilitators, adequate water and sanitation facilities, proper ventilation, functional first-aid boxes and separate learning spaces for male and female pupils.

Registered schools will be eligible for government support, including learning materials, healthcare services, school feeding programmes, nutrition support, scholarships for facilitators and, where possible, teacher allowances. Alarammas and other facilitators will also be integrated into existing teacher development programmes.

The Federal Government said the policy is intended to reform, not abolish, the Almajiri system by providing clear operational guidelines that improve education quality, child protection and economic opportunities for learners.

Implementation will be coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education, state and local governments, traditional institutions, parents and development partners.

The policy builds on the establishment of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education in 2023 and is expected to provide Nigeria’s first comprehensive national framework for regulating, funding and improving Almajiri education nationwide.