{
  "id": 157755,
  "title": "FG unveils Almajiri reform, bans street begging",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/fg-unveils-almajiri-reform-bans-street-begging",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-05T03:50:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/fg-unveils-almajiri-reform-bans-street-begging/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Federal Government has unveiled a new National Policy aimed at improving the Almajiri education system in Nigeria, marking a significant reform by prohibiting pupils from engaging in street begging. This policy mandates the integration of compulsory literacy, numeracy, digital education, and vocational skills into the traditional Qur'anic education system. It also introduces mandatory registration for all Almajiri learning centres, biometric capture of learners, and certification for graduates. Violations, such as sending learners out to beg, will result in sanctions, including potential closure. The reforms aim to eradicate street begging and associated abuses while preserving the religious identity of Qur'anic schools. The government emphasizes that the policy seeks to enhance the overall educational and employable skills of learners, ensuring their safety and improving their economic prospects. Registration of centres, biometric data, and comprehensive records are now required by law. Minimum operational standards include health screenings for learners, regular health checks for facilitators, proper sanitation, and gender-segregated learning spaces. The policy also promises welfare support, including learning materials, healthcare, nutrition services, and scholarships for facilitators. The Federal Ministry of Education, the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education, and various state and local authorities will oversee the implementation of these reforms.",
  "summary": "The Federal Government has unveiled a new National Policy for the Enhancement of Almajiri Education, prohibiting Almajiri learning centres from sending pupils to beg on the streets. The policy introduces compulsory literacy, numeracy, digital education and vocational skills as part of efforts to reform the country’s traditional Qur’anic education system. Recently approved under the Federal Read…",
  "key_points": [
    "Federal Government unveils Almajiri reform policy.",
    "Bans street begging for Almajiri pupils.",
    "Mandates integration of literacy, numeracy, digital skills."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The new policy transforms the Almajiri education system by integrating modern skills and protections, ending street begging, and enhancing learners' safety, economic prospects, and employability.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}