Stakeholders Propose Age Limit for Almajiri Enrollment, Street Begging Ban

• Stakeholders proposed setting a minimum enrollment age of 12 years for Tsangaya education, aiming to reform the Almajiri system
• The summit emphasized community education initiatives to raise awareness about appropriate enrollment ages and eliminate street begging within eight months

Stakeholders have recommended setting 12 years as the minimum age for children enrolling in Tsangaya education outside their home states.

They also proposed an eight-month timeline to eliminate street begging, aiming to reform the Almajiri and Tsangaya education systems.

Sheikh Aliyu Ahmad Abdul-Fathi, Chairman of the Borno State Arabic and Tsangaya Board, announced the resolutions after a two-day summit in Borno.

“The summit resolved to establish a minimum age for enrollment to ensure children are better prepared for the curriculum,” Sheikh Abdul-Fathi stated.

He added that community education initiatives would be launched to raise awareness about the significance of enrolling children at an appropriate age.

Traditionally, the enrollment age for Tsangaya education in Borno has been seven years. However, the new recommendation requires children travelling to Maiduguri from other states to be 12 years old.

Parents or guardians must also provide food supplies for their children when enrolling them in Tsangaya schools. Community leaders and traditional rulers were urged to enforce the proposed age limit.

The summit also emphasized closer collaboration between parents and teachers and increased community involvement to create a supportive environment for students.

Stakeholders called on the government to intensify advocacy and sensitization campaigns, educating parents about the consequences of child neglect and its societal impact.

Sheikh Abdul-Fathi highlighted the Tsangaya Board’s achievements since its establishment and urged the government to prioritize the welfare of street children, ensuring their access to education and care.

He noted that many prominent individuals, including Supreme Court judges, professors, military generals, and politicians, are products of the Tsangaya education system.

These reforms aim to modernize and sanitize the Almajiri and Tsangaya systems while preserving their cultural and societal contributions.