THE MENACE OF ALMAJIRI SYSTEM OF EDUCATION IN SOKOTO, A CASE STUDY OF SOKOTO SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Abstract

The Hausa word Almajir i ( Plural A l majir a i ) is derived from the Arabic Almajir i ( Plural Almuhajirun) which means one of the comp anions of Prophet Muhammad (S.A. W) who accompanied hi m from Mecca to Medinah during his Hijira (Migration). The Arabic word Al - muhajir, therefore had a sp ecial religious connotation in the early period in Islam. It meant a scholar who migrated from his home to another community in search of knowledge. Up to date a pupil undergoing Islamic Religious training is called Almajiri in the Hausa language, hence the Almajiri system of education. The schools are found mostly in the Northern parts of Nigeria with just a few in the southern part of the country.