Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state, has set up a 14-member panel
on Tsangaya Education System (TES).
According to him, the education system, was to enhance Tsangaya
curriculum; with support of State Government improve socioeconomic
conditions to prevent street begging.
While inaugurating committee on Wednesday in Maiduguri, he disclosed
that; “TES is receiving great attention in generating to make policies
in the current dispensation.
“It’s compulsory for every Muslim to seek for knowledge.”
He noted that it’s in line with Islamic teaching that Muslims pursue
knowledge and learning in all ramifications, including Tsangaya
education.
He added that the age-long trans-Saharan trade and Islam with North
Africa, reached this region over a century ago.
He said successive Empires of Ghana, Mali, Borno, and Songhai produced
eminent scholars and saints at their centres of learning.
“Most of the scholars, including Umar Bin Khattab was the first order
establishment of Quranic schools,” he said, noting that it was with
the purpose of teaching children Quranic recitation and wiring in
Arabic.
He attributed problems of Tsangaya Education to inadequate support
from government and communities, use of old Timbuktu curriculum and
poor living conditions of almajirai.
While handing down an eight-point terms of reference, he said: “You’re
to generate and provide information on the existing Tsangaya in the
state.
He added that the panel is also to collate a comprehensive data on
Tsangaya enrolment.
“Your statistical figures on both clerics and children physically
present in different parts of Borno state,” he said.
Other terms of reference, include the tracing and identification of
real status the Tsangaya situation.
He said this comprises learning, feeding, clothing, health and living
conditions of the almajirai (students).
He continued; “You’re also to develop an action plan with short,
medium and long term strategies,” noting that this could assist
government put in place a policy on TES.
He said the implementation of policy, will raise the standard of
Tsangaya education programme.
He therefore, urged the panel to sensitize stakeholders in mobilizing
other critical stakeholders in accepting literacy curricula.
