Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State challenged the critics of his administration’s street begging ban to join the crusade if they were sincere.
The governor made the observation on Sunday while inspecting a mega school for the integration of Tsangaya system of education at Madobi Local Government Area of Kano State to assess the level of the work.
Similar facilities were inspected at Bagwai and Bunkure Local Government Areas of the state, and the governor promised to provide other facilities like electricity, mosques and water sources.
Each of the facilities contains a cafteria, kitchen, domitaries, staff quarters, among others.
According the governor, his administration’s resolve to ban street begging did not mean to hurt anyone, rather for the overall development of the state.
Ganduje said: “We have declared free and compulsory basic and secondary education. Part of this programme is to integrate Qur’anic schools I to the mainstream system of education.
“Some people are against the move to sanitize Qur’anic system education as it has been corrupted. If they mean well for the state, they should join the crusade against street begging. Nothing will stop this adminstration from integrating the schools. Begging system must leave Kano forever.”
The governor added that the programme is of three steps, stressing that many factors have been taken into account for the success of the programme.
Ganduje added: “Integration of Qur’anic and Islamiyya schools is a task that must be done. Those who are not willing to cooperate must leave Kano State.”
“The first step of this programme will ensure ‘roaming’ almajiris are accommodated in one place and we will use these facilities for that purpose.
“Almajiris that are with their guardians will be enrolled in the nearest primary schools to them. This doesn’t stop them full Qur’anic studies, in addition to what is planned for them.
“According to trategy 3 we will post teachers to Tsangaya schools with thousands almajiris to teach mathematics and English Language in addition to Qur’anic knowledge. The student can take common entrance exams and proceed to secondary school.” The Triumph reports.
The governor further maintained that the visit to mega Tsangaya integration schools signified his administration’s intention of ensuring that there is sustainability of the programme.
Recall The Triumph reports that Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State directed the arrest of ‘roaming’ almajiris, saying that their parents or guardians will be taken to court.
The governor gave the directive on Tuesday during the official launch of BESDA Programmes/Distribution of Offer of Appointment to 8,000 BESDA Teachers and Distribution of Instructional Materials to Integratated Qur’anic and Tsangaya Schools, at Sani Abacha Stadium.
Following the ban, the Kano Council of Ulama’a rejected the Ganduje adminstration’s directive, describing the move as insincere.
