The Jigawa Government says it has introduced an “Almajiri Begging Free Zone” programme aimed at reducing children roaming streets and engaging in begging across the state.
Dr Abubakar Maje, Executive Secretary, Jigawa State Tsangaya Education Board, disclosed this at a one-day sensitisation workshop organised for Tsangaya teachers, known as Alarammas, on Thursday, in Dutse.
Maje said 4,500 children would be enrolled in various Tsangaya schools, including newly built mega schools in Dutse, Kafin Hausa and Ringim Local Government Areas.
He said the government had also provided skills acquisition centres to enable students acquire lifelong skills before completing their basic education and become self-reliant.
The executive secretary said the initiative would ensure every child accessed quality education and acquired training in income-generating trades for sustainable livelihoods.
According to him, Jigawa has 5,481 traditional Tsangaya schools, 130 model Tsangaya schools and three mega Tsangaya schools across the state.
Maje said the state government had approved N480 million for comprehensive renovation and provision of additional infrastructure at seven model Tsangaya schools built by the Federal Government.
He said renovation works at the seven model Tsangaya schools had been completed, adding that 1,500 students were planned for enrolment.
“Also, for this workshop, 150 Alarammas were invited from across the state to sensitise them about the new programme introduced by the state government titled ‘Almajiri Begging Free Zone’.”
“It is an initiative of this administration aimed at reducing the number of street-begging children in the state.
“The state government built three mega Tsangaya schools in Dutse, Kafin Hausa and Ringim.
”We will enroll 4,500 Almajiri in these schools so that our children roaming the streets will be given the opportunity to be in school for a brighter future,” Maje said.
According to him, you cannot achieve this without carrying the teachers along. That’s why we called them here to sensitise them about the programme.
Maje said the overall objective was to create a society full of peace, prosperity and social development.
He urged residents to support the initiative for maximum results.
Maje commended the participants for their commitment to advancing Tsangaya education and contributing to efforts aimed at improving children’s welfare across the state.
Also speaking, Malam Sulaihu Hassan, Chairman, Tsangaya Teachers Association in Jigawa, commended the government for the initiative and its focus on students’ welfare.
Hassan said the programme would help address major challenges faced by Tsangaya students, including accommodation, feeding, water supply and access to healthcare.
