Governor Babagana Zulum has launched a summit to reform the Almajiri education system in Borno State.  

The Almajiri education system is a traditional Islamic method of learning widely obtained across states in northern Nigeria.

The event held at the conference hall of Musa Usman Secretariat was graced by education stakeholders, religious leaders, and community advocates to discuss innovative strategies to integrate the Almajiri system with basic formal education.

The summit provided a platform for participants to discuss issues, share insights and propose actionable solutions to the challenges faced by the Almajiri education system.

Addressing the gathering, Governor Zulum emphasised the need to address the root causes of insecurity through the provision of education for all citizens of Borno. 

The governor stressed that improper teaching of Islamic studies has contributed to the emergence of Boko Haram insurgents in the state.

He noted that to curtail the adverse effects associated with Almajiri education, the Borno State Government has established the Arabic and Sangaya Education Board, introducing a unified curriculum for Sangaya and Islamic schools.

Zulum also stated that the reform includes establishing Higher Islamic Colleges that cater specifically to Almajiri children, blending religious and secular curricula and equipping them with skills vital for their personal development and future employment opportunities.

“The Sangaya Reform is a great development and will give Almajiri a better chance in life, particularly the introduction of integrating western education, vocational, numeracy and literacy skills into the centres, which are also described as Almajiri and Islamic schools,” Zulum said.

He added, “Distinguished guests and esteemed educationists, government’s intention was to streamline the informal and formal education systems to quality integrated Sangaya school for admission into colleges and universities.”

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of Borno State Arabic and Sangaya Education Board, Shiekh Arabi Abulfatahi, expressed gratitude to Governor Zulum for giving the board the necessary support in discharging its duties.

The guest speakers, Professor Mustapha Gwadabe from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and Professor Mohammed Alhaji from the University of Maiduguri, stressed the urgent need for a comprehensive overhaul of the Almajiri system.

The Federal Government has imposed a six-week suspension on 13 students from the Federal Government College in Enugu State due to accusations of bullying.

This was announced in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folashade Boriowo.

Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa authorized the suspension following the circulation of a viral video that depicted some students at the school bullying others.

Alausa reiterated the ministry’s steadfast dedication to ensuring a secure and supportive learning environment in all federal schools nationwide.

He stated that a recent report submitted to the Federal Ministry of Education brought attention to the bullying incident at FUC, Enugu, sparking serious concerns about safety and discipline within the school setting.

The report read, ”The findings of the ministry, the incident involved the gang assault of an SS1 student (a day student) by a group of students on Nov. 7.

”The incident came to light showing the circulation of a disturbing video on social media platforms.

”In response, the Federal Ministry of Education established a disciplinary committee to investigate the matter.

”Based on the findings, all 13 students involved have been placed on a six-week suspension pending the report of the investigative committee.”

The minister also directed the School Based Management Committee to collaborate with security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation, including possible affiliations with external groups.

He added that immediate measures have been implemented to enhance security at the College by engaging law enforcement agents while also reviewing existing safety protocols.

”Additionally, counseling and rehabilitation support will be provided to address all forms of problems while promoting their reintegration into a positive school environment,” he said.

NAN

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) sounded the alarm on Tuesday about a scheme to undermine the welfare of public universities in Nigeria.

At an event in Abuja celebrating ASUU’s Heroes Day in 2024, ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, claimed that the World Bank and International Monetary Fund are persistently working to dismantle Nigeria’s public education system.

The union expressed frustration over the stalled renegotiation of its 2009 agreement with the Federal Government, pointing out that, despite multiple Memoranda of Understanding and Action, the ASUU-FGN 2009 Agreement remains unresolved and unfinalized.

Prof. Osodeke also lamented that the situation has worsened due to the continued enforcement of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System in public universities, despite the Federal Executive Council’s previous announcement to remove the system from higher education institutions.

Osodeke also voiced concern that the Federal Government continued to unfairly withhold the union’s salaries for three and a half months, along with unpaid wage arrears, overdue promotions, and the unresolved Earned Academic Allowance.

Speaking further at the event, where ASUU honoured what it described as its “past and living heroes,” Osodeke commended the union’s members nationwide for their “courageous comradeship and sacrifices to the cause of our union, which forever resonate with the emancipation of Nigerian public university education and the suffering Nigerian people.”

He stated that the union plans to provide PhD scholarships to select members from different public universities nationwide. Each grant, worth N500,000, will be awarded following a thorough evaluation of proposals conducted by specialists in the relevant fields.

“Comrades, like in the past, this year’s celebration of our heroes also takes place as we continue the struggle to rescue Nigeria’s public universities from the suffocating clutches of the World Bank and the IMF, whose determination to destroy and bury our public university system has not abated.

“It is rather lamentable that we are still struggling to compel the renegotiation of our 2009 Agreement with the federal government, twelve years after it should have been concluded, and after four rounds of failed negotiations.

“It is most disheartening and egregious that despite the several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and Memoranda of Action (MoAs), the ASUU-FGN 2009 Agreement is yet to be renegotiated and finalised,” he said.

Osodeke alleged that at the state level, ASUU members “are still being punished for fighting for the interests of members and the university system.”

He added, “Let me re-emphasise that we stand with our members at Kogi State University, Lagos State University, Ebonyi State University, and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University in their persecution for their principled support and solidarity in the struggle to defend the soul of public university education in Nigeria.

“As part of our Heroes Day celebration, this year, and in line with the NDC decision, the union will be offering PhD grants to some of our members across various public universities in the country.

“The grants, valued at five hundred thousand naira per recipient, will be based on the rigorous assessment of their proposals by experts in their respective disciplines.”

The event honored distinguished individuals, including Prof. T. Uzodinma Nwala, Prof. Bright Ekuerhare, Prof. Oye Oyediran, Mallam Bashir Kurfi, Prof. The Name Ikiddeh, Mr. S.A. Fadipe, and Prof. Sola Olukunle.

Additional honorees included Nasir Hussain, Tunde Oduleye, Prof. Rasheed Abubakar, Akin Oyebode, Mustapha A. Danesi, A.T. Wins, and Dr. Peter Ozo-Son.

The PUNCH

The candidate of the Labour Party (LP) during the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi has donated the sum of N60 million to two schools in Anambra State. 

During a visit on Monday, Obi presented N50 million to Peter University in Achina and later donated N10 million to the College of Nursing Sciences in Adazi Nnukwu.

Just last Thursday last week, Obi had earlier donated N60m to support local institutions with N50m going to the University on the Niger (UNINIGER) in Umunya, the university’s Iyi-Enu campus, to aid its expansion and infrastructure goals.

He also visited the School of Nursing at Iyienu Mission Hospital in Ogidi, where he contributed an additional N10 million to support healthcare training.

Writing on his official X account, Obi said that the contributions align with his longstanding commitment to fostering a productive Nigeria. 

“Health and education are the cornerstones of development,” Obi said. 

“A nation cannot progress without a healthy and educated workforce.” He highlighted the importance of prioritizing the future of Nigeria’s youth, given the country’s predominantly young population.

The donations are part of Obi’s broader vision of building a “New Nigeria” by investing in critical sectors that address poverty and improve citizens’ quality of life. 

He emphasised that such investments are crucial for creating a nation where citizens can contribute productively to economic growth and development.

The former governor of Anambra State extended gratitude to the proprietors, management, staff, and students of both institutions, commending their dedication to the fields of health and education.

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has announced a record-breaking N1.5 trillion education tax collection for 2024.

It attributed the increase to the upward review in Education Tax from 2.5 to 3 per cent.

Executive Secretary of the Fund, Sonny Echono stated this on Monday in Abuja at a one-day strategic interactive engagement with heads of beneficiary institutions.

He said: “The increase last year, in the Education Tax from 2.5% to 3% – authorized by the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represents a significant stride for TETFund.

“This change, culminating with a record-breaking Education Tax collection of approximately 1.5 trillion Naira so far this year, reinforces the government’s dedication to strengthening Nigeria’s educational framework”.

Details soon.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) on Monday announced a change in the exam center arrangement for some candidates in Lagos State.

WAEC disclosed in a short statement on X that candidates who were initially assigned to the following centres: 5251806 (DIGITAL BRIDGE INSTITUTE CBT), 5250304 (MOUNT GILGAD CBT), 5252606 (CHRISTYCALEB CBT) & 5250307 (BEST GIFT CBT) have been moved to “FLORIN HIGH SCHOOL CBT, IDIMU” from Wednesday, 13th Nov 2024

It also noted that candidates who were initially assigned to the following centers, 5251505 (FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDU, FCE.) & 5251006 (LAGOOZ CBT CENTRE), have been moved to “WAEC INT’L OFFICE, WIO, AGIDINGBI” from Wednesday, 13th Nov 2024.

While candidate, who was initially assigned to the following centers, 5251605 (ETC/JKK, ILUPEJU) & 5250106(WISDOM HOUSE, AGUDA OGBA) have been moved to “WAEC TEST & TRAINING CENTRE, OGBA” from Wed, 13th Nov 2024

The West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for Private Candidates, 2024 – Second Series, commences on Friday, October 25, and runs until Friday, December 20, 2024.