Jigawa Targets 5,000 Almajirai As 3,150 Candidates Jostle For 500 Modernised Islamic Education Jobs
The Jigawa State Government has begun the recruitment of 500 teachers for its Modernised Islamic Education Tsangaya programme, TVC News reports.
More than 9,000 graduates and NCE holders applied for the positions, with 3,150 applicants shortlisted to sit for the Computer-Based Test (CBT) from which the successful candidates will be selected.
The teachers will support the state’s Almajiri Free Zone Programme, which targets more than 5,000 Almajirai for enrolment in a structured education system combining Qur’anic studies, basic Western education and vocational training.
The Executive Secretary of the Jigawa State Tsangaya Education Board, Abubakar Maje, disclosed this while inspecting the ongoing CBT exercise in Dutse, Hadejia and Gumel.
Maje said the initiative was designed to strengthen the traditional Tsangaya system and reduce the number of children engaged in street begging by providing them with education, accommodation, healthcare and skills that could help them become self-reliant.
Under the programme, three mega Tsangaya schools in Dutse, Kafin Hausa and Ringim are expected to admit about 1,500 children each.
The pupils will study the Qur’an alongside English, Mathematics, Basic Science and Computer Studies, while vocational training will prepare them for future employment and self-employment.
Maje said some of the 500 teachers would teach conventional subjects, while others would handle Qur’anic education under the new Tsangaya curriculum.
He said the state government was determined to reform the system and ensure that children in Tsangaya schools have opportunities comparable to those available to other children across the country.
Some candidates who took part in the CBT commended the conduct of the exercise but urged the government to increase the number of teachers to be recruited from 500 to 1,000, citing the high number of applicants and the current economic situation.
Parents and community members also welcomed the initiative, but called for the expansion of the mega Tsangaya schools to other local government areas.
Jigawa currently has more than 5,481 traditional Tsangaya schools, 130 integrated Tsangaya schools, seven modern Tsangaya schools and three mega Tsangaya schools.
The state government has also approved N480 million for the renovation of the seven modern Tsangaya schools established during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
