Sokoto Government Allocates N500m for Learning Centres

The Sokoto State Government has earmarked N500 million for the establishment of learning centres for out-of-school children in the Gandu and Bado areas. This announcement was made by the State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Professor Ahmad Ladan Ala, during a stakeholders’ engagement on almajiri and out-of-school children’s education at the Sultan Maccido Institute for Qur’anic and General Studies.

The project has already seen 30 percent of its cost paid to the contractor, allowing construction to commence. The centres will provide a blend of basic Western education, Islamic education, and entrepreneurship skills, aiming to foster self-reliance among children.

Additionally, in collaboration with UNICEF, three Digital Almajiri and Out-of-School-Children Centres have been constructed, currently serving 1,816 out-of-school children in basic literacy and numeracy training. The Minister of Education, represented by Dr. Balarabe Shehu Kakale, mentioned ongoing reforms in the almajiri education system to integrate essential skills into traditional Qur’anic education.