An Assessment of the Psychosocial Effects of Almajiri system on Child’s Development in Gwange Ward Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

Abstract

Children are known to be the source of joy in every family especially when the parents can afford their basic needs. Children in the northern part of Nigeria are prone to deprivation through almajiri system of education mainly due to respect for misunderstood religious concept and culture among other causes. This study of psycho-social effects of almajiri system on child's development was conducted in Gwange ward, Maiduguri, is aimed at identifying the psychological effects of almajiri system on child's development as well as the social effects of almajiri system on child's development. A descriptive design was used for the study. Data was obtained from respondents (almajiris) using structured questionnaire. The data was presented and analysed using descriptive statistics. Hypotheses were formulated and tested using Chi-square. The findings of this study revealed that the almajiris are affected both psychologically and socially due to lack of adequate care, loneliness, feeling of anger, lack of proper feeding and security, exposure to dangers and negligence by the society. Based on these findings, community health workers, psychologists, sociologists and government should be in the fore front of taking care of the almajiri system. Recommendations were made to families, communities, government and Non Governmental Organisation's on ways of improving the system and incorporating it with western education.

Assessment of food security, living condition, personal hygiene health determinants and relations among Almajiri students in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria

“…Albeit, every child, including Almajiri have rights such as the right to education, health, care, love, adequate food and shelter, live in proper environment; the Almajiri suffers (Chukwu et al, 2016;Mohammed et al, 2022). In almost every street, corner, junction, Almajiri are seen as nearly homeless, poor, neglected, and maltreated child wandering and begging for alms and food because the society, parents, government, have abandoned the real cause of Almajiri education in northern Nigeria (Zakir et al, 2014).…”

“…Parable, psychoactive use among Almajiri in the Northern Nigeria has long been observed in Almajiri students denoting a high prevalence use of different drugs by the students (Abdulmalik et al, 2009). An investigation of psychological effects of Almajiri education system in Borno state, Nigeria reiterated that the children are socially and psychologically inflicted because they lack enough care, stay alone, improper feeding, lack of security, and dangerous experience among other (Chukwu et al, 2016). In Zaria city, Northwestern Nigeria an investigation on psychiatric disorders among Almajiri students was done, and it was found that Almajiri students show more psychiatric problems than the pupils drawn from public primary schools in the area (Abdullateef et al, 2017).…”