Understanding Almajiri: past, present and future - VAM News

Concept of the Almajii education. 

The basis for the al-Majiri system of education is entrenched in the Islamic tradition of prioritising knowledge over any other things admired by the believers. As such, it is believed that once a person is knowledgeable any other things he wishes to acquire in life become easier. That is why many Muslim scholars left the comfort of their homes and places of birth to other parts of the world in search of knowledge. They put themselves in such disquieting situationsin order to benefit themselves, their immediate community and humanity as a whole. This assertion is apparent in the meaning of the word al-Majiri, which is a derivative of the Arabic terminology al-Muhajir (the traveller or migrant).

Almajiri children 

The expression is customarily used in depicting someone who migrates for a precious purpose. Popularity of the lingo is dated back to the heydays of Islam when the Prophet and his Companions migrated from Makkah to Yathrib, later known as al-Madinah. 

Similarly, Allah uses the expression in various verses of the Qur‟an while referring to the believers; “And the first to embrace Islam of the Muhajirun (those who migrated from Makkah to Al-Madinah) and the Ansar (the citizens of Al-Madinah who helped and gave aid to the Muhajirun) and also those who followed them exactly (in Faith). Allah is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him...” (Qur‟an 9:100). 

He also says in another verse: “Allah has forgiven the Prophet, the Muhajirun and the Ansar who followed Him (Prophet Muhammad) in the time of distress (Tabuk expedition, etc.), after the hearts of a party of them had nearly deviated (from the Right Path), but He accepted their repentance. Certainly, He is unto them full of kindness, Most Merciful” (Qur‟an 9:117). 

In Northern Nigeria, al-Majiri is particularly used to refer to school-age children who leave the comfort of their homes and parental care to seek knowledge in nearby towns and cities. The efforts exerted in expeditions for knowledge by many famous Muslim scholars in the ilk of al-Imam as-Shafi‟ 

(767CE-820CE) and Ibn Khaldun (1332CE-1406CE), etc could be akin to this system. As earlier mentioned, the scheme was enthusiastically supported by all stakeholders in the education enterprise, which enabled it to record unprecedented success in the pre-colonial epoch in Northern Nigeria. In addition to free tuition the Mallam (teacher) provides for the pupils whose population may be as much as the teacher can accommodate. 

He also provides feeding and lodging for his wards free of charge with the support of the community and some well-meaning members of the society. The culture of generosity and being one‟s brother‟s keeper that were held in high esteem in those days actually assisted the al-Majirisystem. 

With meagre income, support from farming and the public, the Mallams were able to sustain and maintain their schools.12 The arrival of the British colonial Masters however stole this away from the scheme, its supporters and admirers. Those who operated the system afterwards were doing so on their own. 

The attention of the parents, community and other stakeholders was shifted to the trending western system of education, which is funded with the state resources. Those who patronise the al-Majiri schools today deny themselves Western system of education.

The Al-Majiri System in Recent Times

Unlike pre-colonial Nigeria, when the al-Majiri system of education flourished and recorded exceptional accomplishment in literacy and social services, the system is today faced with a myriad of challenges with glaring abnormalities. Since the live wires that used to be sources of funding and morale booster for the scheme have been cut, the proprietors of Makaranta Alo (local Madrasah) and their pupils were left “to whom it may concern”. Findings revealed that 6 out of 10 of the al-Majiri pupils never find their way back home. 

Many lose their lives through street violence, ritual killing, kidnapping, disease and hunger. 

Those who are able to survive the harsh condition they are subjected to exhaust most of the profitable hours of learning on the streets in the name of eking out a living, while majority of them eventually drop out in the long run. Instead of being brought up, they grow up like wild grass and lose out on all grounds; educationally, morally and, above all, religiously. It is on record that the current insurgency in Nigeria and neighbouring countries handily recruit their foot soldiers from the al-Majiri schools after brainwashing them that the Western system of education is a sin. Through this loophole, the future workforce of the nation that is supposed to man various sectors of the economy slowly but steadily and gullibly wastes away. 

Those who prefer a “dignified” means of livelihood among them end up as maigadi (security guards), housekeepers, bus drivers, conductors, etc. The lazy ones who are comfortable with the life on the street continue to beg throughout their lives. The luxury loving ones usually end up as political yobbos and live on handouts from unscrupulous politicians. One mayargue that it is inconceivable to expect that everybody would be at the helm. 

From among those who are privileged to have formal education, some would be leaders, while others would be the led. In response to this, Prophet Muhammad was reported to have said in a hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah: 

A strong believer is better and is more lovable to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone, (but) cherish that which gives you benefit (in the Hereafter) and seek help from Allah and do not lose heart, and if anything (in the form of trouble) comes to you, don't say: If I had not done that, it would not have happened so and so, but say: Allah did what He had ordained to do, and “if” opens the (gate) for the Satan. 

Going by the spirit of the above hadith, Islam discourages the believers from condemning themselves to the low ebb of affairs right from the onset. One has to aim high and work towards achieving his goals. But if after exerting all necessary efforts towards achieving one‟s lawful desires and it turns out the other way, one must succumb to destiny. 

The word, al-Majiri, which used to command respect, sympathy and solidarity, nowadays generates obnoxious feeling in the public domain. What quickly comes to the mind of many people whenever the word is uttered is the image of malnourished and destitute school age-street children, who constitute public nuisance and security threat to the society.In addition to child labour, child abuse, and a vague future, the al-Majiri pupils today are being linked to the insurgency in the country due to their vulnerability to crime. While justifying this assertion, some analysts argue that a person who solely relies on begging for survival; who is enduring instead of enjoying the preamble of his life as a result of societal negligence; and who does not know where his next meal will come from, can easily fall prey to terrorists‟ biddings through a peanut bait. 

VAM News Says As such, the al-Majiri system in its current state is akin to a societal time bomb waiting to be remotely detonated.