The Almajiri Right to Education and its Complexities

Abstract

The intent and end of the law in all development efforts is to dignify the human person. Unfortunately, all the conversations about the age-long almajiri education system contravened the law and failed to boost the dignity of the poor northern child under the system. The desire to change the status of the almajiri has long been considered first with the introduction of the universal basic education which has been modified to fit contemporary expectations but it has failed to solve this problem. The enactment of the Child Rights Act was believed will address the fallen value of the Almajirai but the story has remained as it were. The introduction of the Almajiri integrated education system with supportive infrastructure by the Goodluck Jonathan administration was innovative, however it is today a story of failure. This paper examines the religious, ideological and political biases that have combined to undermine the post-2012 government efforts to redefine, redesign and empower this institution to align with the law and facilitate development that dignifies the Almajirai in northern Nigeria. The paper relies on secondary materials and uses content analysis to present the data. To adequately ensure the effective implementation of the Alma-jiri education system in Nigeria, it is recommended that there should be a holistic approach to full implementation and not conceived for selected states in Northern Nigeria.