Opinions of Stakeholders on Effective Ways for Integration of the Almajiri Schools for Equity and Quality Education in Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study analyzed the opinions of stakeholders on effective ways for integration of the Almajiri schools for enhancing equity and quality education in Niger state, Nigeria. The study employed descriptive survey design. The population of the study consisted of Mallams (teachers), SBMC members and learners of the 200 Integrated Islamiyya and Tsangaya schools in Niger state. Three local government areas were selected randomly (one from each senatorial zone) and a simple of 252 participants was drawn randomly from twelve (12) schools (6 from rural and 6 from urban schools). Three research questions guided the study and inventory on effective ways for integration of the Almajiri schools was used as the instrument for data collection. The data analysis was carried
out using the mean and standard deviation. The findings of the study showed that adequate toilet facilities to solve the problem of gender insensitivity and to guarantee privacy, feeding of the Almajrai while in school to enhance their attention and concentration, and training on skill acquisition programmes to provide Almajirai with coping strategy and opportunity of becoming self-reliant and independent are effective ways for integration of the Almajiri schools in Niger state. The study recommends that school feeding programme, provision of grants and financial support, among others should be extended to the Almajiri schools.