FG Bans Street Begging, Threatens Sanctions In Almajiri Reform

The Federal Government has unveiled a comprehensive National Policy for the Enhancement of Almajiri Education, banning street begging by learners and introducing far-reaching reforms aimed at integrating the traditional Qur’anic education system into Nigeria’s broader education framework.

The new policy, approved under the Federal Ministry of Education, prohibits Almajiri learning centres from sending pupils to beg on the streets and warns that schools that violate the directive risk sanctions, including possible closure.

According to the policy document, “No learner(s) shall be sent out to beg in the street or do menial jobs.”

It further warned that, “Any registered learning centre that sends learners out to beg shall face appropriate action such as sanction from operation.”

The government said the reforms are designed to end the long-standing practice of street begging associated with the Almajiri system while preserving the religious identity of Qur’anic schools.

It added that one of the key objectives of the policy is “to eradicate all forms of begging, abuse and stigmatisation associated with Almajiri in line with the existing Child Protection Laws.”

As part of the overhaul, the government has made literacy, numeracy, digital education, vocational training, civic education and life skills compulsory components of Almajiri education across the country.

The policy stated, “Literacy and Numeracy shall be infused into the curriculum of the Almajiri teaching and learning.”

It added, “Relevant digital skills shall be included in the training of the facilitators and learners.”

The government also directed that learners should be given opportunities to acquire vocational and technical skills to improve their future economic prospects.

For the first time, graduates of recognised Almajiri learning centres will receive nationally recognised certificates.

According to the policy, “A structured certification process for learners shall be established by the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education in collaboration with relevant federal government agencies.”

It added, “Learners who complete the Almajiri education shall be awarded a certificate.”
To strengthen regulation and accountability, the government ordered all Almajiri learning centres to register with relevant state or local government authorities and maintain comprehensive manual or electronic records, including biometric data for every learner.

The policy states, “All learning centres shall be registered with relevant state or local government authority working on Almajiri Education.”

It further provides that every learning centre must “keep records of all learners manually and/or electronically as well as biometric data.”

The reforms also introduce minimum standards for both day and boarding schools, including compulsory health screening for learners before admission, periodic medical checks for facilitators, access to healthcare, adequate water and sanitation facilities, proper ventilation and measures to prevent overcrowding. Separate learning spaces for male and female learners and minimum hostel standards for boarding schools are also required.

Registered Almajiri schools will be eligible for government support, including learning materials, healthcare services, nutrition programmes, school feeding, scholarships for facilitators and, where possible, teacher allowances.

The policy also provides for the integration of Alarammas and other facilitators into existing teacher development programmes organised by agencies such as the Universal Basic Education Commission, State Universal Basic Education Boards, the National Teachers’ Institute and the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria.

Explaining the objective of the reforms, the government stressed that the policy was intended to strengthen rather than abolish the Almajiri system.

“It is developed not to take over learning centres but to provide clear operational guidelines, direction and streamline activities of the Almajiri education system. This is to guarantee the learners’ and teachers’ security, promote their well-being and engender economic productivity among the learners,” the document stated.

The Federal Government said years of neglect, poor regulation, inadequate funding, parental abandonment and widespread misconceptions had contributed to the challenges facing the Almajiri system, leaving many children exposed to exploitation, abuse and other risks while swelling the country’s out-of-school population.

Implementation of the policy will be coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education, alongside state governments, local government education authorities, traditional rulers, parents, community leaders and development partners.

The commission is expected to oversee nationwide implementation, establish a database of learners and teachers, enforce child protection standards and support the integration of basic education, digital literacy and vocational skills into the Almajiri education system.