From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
The Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, on Wednesday abolished the Almajiri system of education in the state, insisting that all Almajirai repatriated to Kano from other states will be enrolled into the convetional education system.
The AUTHORITY recalls that over 1,000 Almajirai have so far been repatriated to Kano from various states across the North, while Kano has evacuated about 1,172 Almajarai to neighbouring northern states.
According to the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs who doubles as the Chairman of the Almajiri Evacuation Committee, Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo, 723 indigenous Almajarai have also been reunited with their families.
Sule Garo who spoke during the Kano State Government State Task Force on COVID-19, said about 28 Almajirai who tested positive to Corona Virus are already receiving treatment at the Isolation Centre.
Governor Ganduje during his speech at the COVID-19 Press Conference, declared that as a matter of policy, “every child in Kano state, including Almajarai must go to school.”
Ganduje who said the fight against COVID-19 in the state is yielding positive results said his government has concluded plans to incorporate the repatriated Almajarai into the state Free, Compulsory Primary and Basic Education policy.
He, however, commended and congratulated Muslims in the state for observing a peaceful Sallah celebration, with strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols.
According to him, “there is no doubt managing the Eid El Fitr under COVID-19 was not an easy task, but we have to appreciate that the Friday prayers and the Eid prayers on Sunday were conducted peacefully.
“The Imams ensured that people complied with he COVID-19 protocols during Friday prayers and the Eid prayers. I was impressed to have learnt that most Imams did not allow their who came without face masks to enter the Mosque ”
Ganduje further stated that, “we are witnessing a decline in the spread of the disease in Kano. People are gradually abiding by the COVID-19 protocols. People are also coming to terms with the realities of COVID-19.”
He, however, emphasized that community engagement remain cardinal in the fight against COVID-19.
He noted that, “community engagement is very necessary. I call on community leaders, Ulamas, women leaders and opinion leaders to engage the people on the need to comply with COVID-19 protocols.”
Ganduje also said plans have been concluded to establish Sample Collection Centres across the 44 Local Government Areas as part of measures to strengthen the fight against COVID-19.
