In a groundbreaking move for the state, Kano has officially opened the doors to standard-equipped boarding schools specifically designed for Almajiri children.
This initiative, championed by former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s administration in 2022, marks a significant step towards bridging the educational gap for this population group.
Governor Ganduje’s pledge to establish these modern schools was met with praise, and now, the promise has become a reality.
The newly commissioned schools in Kiru, Ungogo, Ganduje, and Doguwa towns offer a nurturing environment where Almajiri students can receive both Western education and a strong foundation in Islamic knowledge.
This development rewrites the narrative for Almajiri education accessibility in Kano.
The state-of-the-art Kiru Almajiri Boarding School exemplifies the project’s vision. It boasts well-equipped classrooms, an administrative block, separate dormitories for boys and girls, a kitchen complex, a library, a dedicated sports arena, and even facilities for ICT, laboratories, water supply, a clinic, electricity, proper road access, fencing, laundry areas, and staff quarters.
This commitment to comprehensive education extends beyond Kiru. A 2022 Punch newspaper report highlighted the Ganduje administration’s establishment of three additional Tsangaya schools, designed to integrate the traditional Almajiri system with Western education. These schools, currently under construction in Ingogo, Doguwa, and Ganduje towns, solidify the ongoing focus on educational reform.
Yahya Lawal, a resident in Kiru town, has emphasized that these Kano Almajiri boarding schools are not mere political ventures. They represent a sustainable development project with a clear purpose: to provide a well-rounded education, encompassing both Islamic and Western disciplines, and ultimately transform the lives of Almajiri children.
