The federal government has established 119 learning centres across the country to transform access to foundational education for both Almajiri learners and out-of-school children.

The spokesperson for the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education, Nura Muhammad, disclosed this in an interview in Abuja on Sunday.

Mr Muhammad said the centres operate under two models: some support existing almajiri schools with structured literacy and numeracy classes, while others cater exclusively to out-of-school children using the Accelerated Basic Education Programme curriculum.

He said the approach enabled learners to cover foundational education within a much shorter period.

Mr Muhammad also announced the successful development of a National Policy on Almajiri Education, led by the education minister, Tunji Alausa.

According to him, almajiri learners would no longer be classified as out-of-school children.

He said that with the development, almajiri schools would receive the same level of support and funding as conventional schools.

Mr Muhammad said the commission had strengthened its nationwide presence by opening an office in every state within 28 months of its existence.

He said the commission also launched a ward-to-ward advocacy campaign in seven pilot states (Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, Borno, Lagos, Ogun and Cross River).

“The campaign engages parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society groups and children, sensitising communities to the dangers of leaving the Almajiri system unregulated and the importance of enrolling children in schools. So far, Lagos, Cross River, Ogun and Yobe have successfully covered all wards in their states, and the public response has been very encouraging. The remaining states in the pilot phase are also making substantial progress. Ultimately, we will scale this model across the entire federation,” he said.

He said the reforms were in line with the establishment act of the commission, passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the president in May 2023.

According to him, the commission’s mandate includes reforming the centuries-old Almajiri system through literacy, numeracy, and skills acquisition, while ensuring that millions of out-of-school children are enrolled in formal and non-formal education pathways.

He explained that, at its Kaduna campus, 200 almajiri learners underwent a nine-month intensive training programme.

The training, according to him, covered Arabic and English literacy, Qur’anic interpretation, and a broad range of vocational skills, including POP design, plumbing, agriculture, tiling, solar installation, GSM repair, and ICT.

He said the trainees studied under the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies curriculum, sat for the required examinations and are now awaiting their results.