Almajiri, out-of-school children’s participation in national protest worrisome’

The National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education (NCAOOSCE) has expressed concern over children’s participation in the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests in Nigeria.

While acknowledging the fundamental right to freedom of assembly and expression, the Commission raised the alarm that children’s involvement in the demonstration would expose them to harm and violence.

A statement on Tuesday night by the spokesperson of the Commission, Nura Muhammad, quoted the Executive Secretary of NCAOOSCE, Dr. Muhammad Sani Idris, as saying: “The sight of children taking to the streets, instead of being in classrooms, is a stark reminder of the enormity of our task.”

The statement stressed that Dr. Idris appealed to parents and guardians to take control of their children and wards by prioritising their safety and well-being.

The Executive Secretary, the statement added, appealed for calm and understanding among protesters, reiterating the commitment of the federal government to address grievances through peaceful and constructive means.

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“It is alarming to see that the majority of protesters, particularly in the northern region, are children of school age who may not be attending school. The violent nature of these protests puts children at risk of physical harm, emotional trauma, and exploitation,” Dr. Idris said.

The Guardian observed that in some of the viral videos of protesters, there were children as little as five years old joining the protests.