Katsina: The Katsina State Bureau of Statistics, in partnership with UNICEF, has launched a statewide census of Almajiri and Islamiyya schools to reform traditional education through evidence-based planning and stronger policy coordination.
The exercise, inaugurated on Saturday, will deploy 200 trained enumerators across all Local Government Areas to collect comprehensive data on enrolment, teachers, infrastructure, and pupil livelihoods.
Governor Dikko Radda, represented by his adviser Dr. Tasi’u Dandagoro, described the census as a crucial intervention to promote social justice, inclusive development, and informed governance while respecting religious and cultural heritage.
Radda noted that the Almajiri system remains deeply rooted in Katsina’s history, nurturing moral discipline and religious knowledge, but acknowledged that rapid social change has weakened traditional support structures.
He said the census would provide dependable data to guide targeted reforms and statewide education planning.Commissioner Malik Anas emphasized that reliable statistics are critical to child protection and inclusive development, while Statistician-General Prof. Saifullahi Sani explained that the census would build a database to strengthen Qur’anic education and ensure no child is left behind.
