Reps consider homeschooling option to tackle Almajirai menace

In a bid to boost access to education, the House of Representatives is considering two Bills aimed at providing an enabling environment for homeschooling in the country.

The Bills titled: “Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act (Amendment) Bill, and “Child’s Rights Act (Amendment) Bill, sponsored by Rep. Ghali Mustapha Tijjani (NNPP Kano), scaled through the first reading hurdle on the floor of the House on Thursday.

Tijjani who bared his mind on the proposed legislation assured that if passed into law, they would address the challenges of access, quality, and inclusivity in education in the country.

The lawmaker representing the Albasu/Gaya/Ajingi Federal constituency of Kano State explained that he was motivated to initiate the Bills based on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He stressed the need for Nigeria to emulate the advanced world where children are not hindered from accessing education because they can study from home.

The lawmaker explained that the proposed legislation gives parents the option to educate their children at home, either by hiring a local teacher or teaching them personally, using the Nigerian curriculum adding the initiative would benefit vulnerable children, including those in remote areas and Almajiri children, by providing them with opportunities for formal education.

Shedding light on the potential economic advantages of homeschooling, he noted that parents who choose to homeschool would reduce the strain on government infrastructure and resources and also minimises costs associated with uniforms, transportation, and other school-related expenses.

Tijani argued that homeschooling could address security concerns, as children would not need to travel long distances to schools in unsafe areas.

He also touched on moral education, stating that he said parents can better monitor their children’s moral development and shield them from negative influences often encountered in schools.

” I’m sorry to say that most of the time, recently, there are issues of immorality that happen in our primary schools and secondary schools.Therefore, we have to protect that. And parents do try as much as possible to give their children morals, to give them a very good attitude.”

“Parents don’t necessarily need to connect to online platforms. They can follow the Nigerian curriculum with the help of local teachers or by teaching their children directly,” he explained.

“Public schools often have overcrowded classrooms, making it hard for teachers to give individual attention. Homeschooling creates an environment where children can receive one-on-one guidance.”