The Federal Government has unveiled a new National Policy for the Enhancement of Almajiri Education, introducing sweeping reforms aimed at ending street begging and transforming Nigeria’s traditional Qur’anic education system.
Under the policy, Almajiri learning centres are prohibited from sending pupils to beg on the streets. Instead, learners will receive compulsory literacy, numeracy, digital education, vocational training, civic education and life skills alongside Qur’anic studies.
Recently approved by the Federal Ministry of Education, the policy also mandates the registration of all Almajiri learning centres, biometric capture of learners and the introduction of nationally recognised certificates for graduates. Schools that violate the policy, including those that send pupils out to beg, risk sanctions or possible closure.
According to the policy, the reforms are designed to end the long-standing culture of street begging associated with the Almajiri system while preserving the religious identity of Qur’anic schools and integrating learners into Nigeria’s broader education framework.
The government stated that one of its major objectives is to eradicate begging, abuse and stigmatization associated with the Almajiri system in line with existing child protection laws.
To improve future opportunities for learners, the policy expands the curriculum to include foundational education, digital literacy, technical and vocational skills, while allowing students to acquire employable skills based on their interests or the choices of their parents or guardians.
For the first time, graduates of recognised Almajiri learning centres will receive nationally recognised certificates through a structured certification process coordinated by the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education in collaboration with relevant government agencies.
The reforms also introduce stricter operational standards for day and boarding schools, including compulsory health screening for learners, regular medical checks for facilitators, adequate water and sanitation facilities, proper ventilation, functional first-aid services and separate learning spaces for male and female pupils.
Registered learning centres will also become eligible for government support, including learning materials, healthcare services, nutrition and school feeding programmes, scholarships for facilitators and, where possible, teacher allowances.
The government stressed that the policy is intended to reform—not abolish—the Almajiri system by providing clear operational guidelines, strengthening child protection, improving learning outcomes and promoting economic productivity among 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 rulers, parents, community leaders and development partners.
The policy follows the establishment of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education in 2023 and is expected to provide the country’s first comprehensive framework for the regulation, funding, monitoring and welfare of Almajiri learning centres, while helping to tackle Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis.
