Nigeria moves to integrate Quranic education into UBE programme

The Federal Government has concluded plans to integrate the Quranic and Tsangaya education into the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme in the country. Already, over 135 master trainers drawn from the nine pilot states have been trained on the Integrated Quranic and Tsangaya Education (IQTE) programme.

Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Hamid Bobboyi, while declaring open the five-day workshop said the Federal Government would do everything possible to ensure that the Quranic schools are properly integrated into basic education curriculum.

Bobboyi, who was represented by the Director, Quality Assurance, Alhaji Mansir Idris, said the commission would adopt best practices in IQTE implementation through effective consultation and partnership with stakeholders.He affirmed the readiness of the commission to do all within its powers to create opportunities for all school-age children to access quality basic education in the country; hence, the need to integrate Quranic schools into the formal basic education structure.He challenged the participants to avail themselves of the opportunity so that they can effectively train the IQTE teachers and managers in their various states.

Nine states of Sokoto, Yobe, Katsina, Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, Niger, Oyo, and Adamawa are currently implementing the pilot phase of the IQTE programme, after the proprietors of the selected schools had undergone training on key aspects of the IQTE operations.

Bobboyi said the training was part of efforts geared towards putting in place appropriate structures for quality teaching and learning in the IQTE schools and is considered a critical aspect of the foundational arrangements for the programme.

Under the IQTE arrangement, the Federal Government provides support for the beneficiary proprietors of Tsangaya schools who would in turn make their learning facilities as well as human resources available for use as centres for integrating elements of basic literacy into their Quranic/tsangaya education activities.

The Federal Government’s funding support will be used to enhance infrastructural development with a view to improving access and quality of learning in designated centres with states and local government education authorities playing supervisory roles.

The UBEC boss said through the IQTE, the commission would provide educational opportunities for Islamic learners found in urban centres.He added that with 157 model tsangaya schools located in 27 states and the FCT, UBEC will provide a conducive boarding and learning facilities for designated classes of children thus maximising the use of facilities earlier made available for its almajiri programme.

According to him, the current master trainers’ workshop was a further step in consolidating on the successes already attained in actualising the integration plans of government.Director of Special Programmes, Alhaji Hassan Umar applauded the Federal Government’s efforts at ensuring inclusive education and appreciated the pilot states for showing commitment to the IQTE process by turning up in good number for the exercise.