Goodluck Jonathan Commissioned Almajiri Model Schools in Sokoto

Today, in Sokoto, Sokoto State, I commissioned the first of several Federal Government Model Almajiri Schools for itinerant scholars commonly referred to as Almajiri. This is in fulfillment of the promises I made on this page in a note titled 'Fighting Insecurity With Education' on the 15th of November 2010.

This promise was also repeated at various times during my presidential campaign. I gave my word that I would ensure that every child in Nigeria has access to quality education, and today, in every state of Nigeria where the almajirinci form of education is practiced this administration will ensure that a Model Almajiri School is built. These schools will promote the learning of Islamic religious knowledge and Western education. The schools will be equipped with modern facilities such as a Language Laboratory, Qur'an recitation hall, classrooms and dormitories as well as a clinic, vocational workshop, dining hall and mallam quarters. This is only a beginning. We will not stop there. This administration has given and will continue to give all levels of education (primary, secondary and tertiary) priority because as a teacher myself I know that in this knowledge-driven age, a nation does not become wealthy by what it has under the ground rather the wealth of nations are today measured by what is between the ears of her citizens. GEJ