Majority of Almajiri Roaming Kano Streets Are Foreigners, Ganduje

Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has disclosed that 95 percent of Almajiri roaming the streets of Kano are foreigners.

Ganduje explained that the state government has come up with compulsory free education to overcome the situation by coming up with policy that will bring an end to the trend.

The governor said the state is organising a special Summit coming up in the next few weeks, where all issues involved in this noble policy would be deliberated upon.

At the Summit, Ganduje revealed that many experts in the education sector would participate, so as to come up with modalities on how to effectively and efficiently attain optimal results while implementing the policy.

Speaking at a stakeholders meeting on free and compulsory education held at Government House in Kano on Thursday, where all heads of state agencies under the ministry of education and those of all the institutions of higher learning in the state among other stakeholders were present.

"We all believe that education is one of the major routes to economic prosperity and a corridor to scientific and technological advancement. It is at the same time, as largely regarded and enunciated, a veritable tool to combat unemployment," says Ganduje.

There was presence of all the five Emirates in the state, who were also involved in the meeting. As governor attaches importance to the inclusion of the traditional institution, for much desired results.

While making reference to the solid foundation upon which the free education policy rests on, he assured that the Summit would come along with it practical ways to achieve the desired goals of the free and compulsory education, from primary to senior secondary school education.

"Part of our stakeholders for this noble policy are experts who specialise in basic education, some in science and technical education, some in assessment and quality control in education, some in examination management and also some would come from Almajiri system of education," he explained.

Traditional institution also forms part of the critical stakeholders in the implementation stage of the policy, adding that, "Because we believe in the important role they play in the education of our wards and the advancement of the sector as a whole, we said they must be included."

Governor Ganduje reiterates the important role of the media in the implementation and evaluation of this policy. Which he urges media "...to come forward and be good partner for the overall development of the education sector in the state."

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Free and Compulsory Education Committee, Dr Kabiru Shehu, who is also the State Head of Service, assured governor of their unrelenting commitment towards successful implementation of the policy.

He told the governor how committed his committee is, since their inception few weeks back, emphasising that, "As Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje is determined to get this done, we have equally position ourselves so as to have result-oriented programme."

"DFID and World Bank praise the initiative and have promised to partner with Kano state towards having  smooth and successful policy. They all promise to do their best towards that. As they are convinced that Kano is very serious about it."