ROLES OF ALMS TAX FUND IN ENHANCING ALMAJIRI SYSTEMOF EDUCATION IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

Abstract

The dilemma in Almajiri system of education has become a real
concern in the Northern part of Nigeria. This paper examined the role of Alms
tax known as zakat fund towards alleviating the financial and social menace of
the Almajirisystem of education. It discussesthe beneficiaries, distribution and
implementation of zakat through documentation method and content analysis.
This study referenced revered documents such as the Quran, Hadith and other
scholarly documentations. The paper concluded that government should
enforce the provisions of zakat distribution to allow the Almajiri schools access
the zakat fund as remedy to the over dependence of the teachers and students
on charity/Sadakat. As the system involves teaching and learning Quran and
Arabic, the paper suggests possible solutions to move out of its current difficult
situation so that it can contribute to meaningful learning process. Government
should provide a well-structured framework with guidelines and policies for
the system to work effectively.