Parents have a critical role to play in the management of the non-formal Qur’anic School system (Tsangaya) to address the menace of street begging by Almajiri pupils in northern Nigeria.
Professor Bashir Galadanci, a lecturer with the Department of Software Engineering, Bayero University Kano (BUK), stated this at the 25th Annual Ummah Convention held in Gombe.
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The conference with the theme, “The Almajiri Phenomenon, Challenges and Solutions in Nation Building,” was attended by Muslim organisations across the country.
In a paper entitled, “Addressing the Multifarious Problems of Almajiri,” Galadanci said, “There is a need for aggressive sensitisation to create awareness and mobilise parents to know their responsibilities and stop sending their wards to Almajiri School (Tsangaya) without providing necessary funding to take care of their welfare and needs.
“Also, the itinerary of Qur’anic teachers (Alarama’s) should be mobilised to reject any child whose parents do not pay for his welfare and other needs.”
He called on Islamic organisations to establish Qur’anic schools, especially in rural areas to transform the non formal school system and address the menace.
In a paper entitled, “The Ummah Movement and Challenges to Muslims in Nigeria,” the National Leader of the Muslim Ummah Islamic Centre, Zaria, Professor Muhammad Babangida, stressed the need for synergy, inclusiveness and partnership to promote unity among Muslim faithful in the country.
He also urged eligible youths to get their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to enable them to exercise their franchise and vote for credible leaders into elective positions.