The <i>Almajiri</i> educational system in Nigeria: cost and challenges

Abstract

This paper highlights the cost and challenges of the Almajiri system of education in Nigeria. The paper theoretically examines pertinent issues arising from its conduct and administration. Although the Almajiri system of education in Nigeria has attracted very large number of children in the Northern part of the country, it has not provided good prospects for these children's future. The cost implications of Almajiri system include human resources wastage, exposure of children to harsh environmental hazards, and deprivation of these children of parental care. The paper also highlighted on the major challenges to include illiterate teachers involve in teaching the children, lack of basic infrastructural facilities for learning, lack of planned curriculum, and poor professional handling of the pupils for effective learning. For this system of education to be productive in Nigeria, it should go through the rigours of planning education and be mainstreamed in the Nigeria educational system.