Regulation, Standardisation of Qur’anic Schools Under Way in Katsina
By Bashir Yahuza Malumfashi
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Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has received the report of a committee constituted by the state government to review the operations of Quranic schools and develop a comprehensive framework for their regulation and standardisation across the state.
The report, which was formally presented to the Governor at the State Executive Council meeting, contains recommendations covering legal and policy reforms, certification, curriculum standardisation, teacher training, welfare support, data collection and improved monitoring of Qur’anic education institutions.
The Chairman of the Katsina State Zakat and Waqf Commission, Dr. Ahmad Musa Abdullahi Filin Samji, led members of the committee during the presentation, while Dr. Bashir Ruwan Godiya, a member of the committee, highlighted the major findings and recommendations.
Presenting the report, Dr. Ruwan Godiya said the committee identified several challenges affecting Tahfeez schools, including unregulated operations, inconsistencies in curricula, weak monitoring mechanisms, inadequate certification and welfare concerns involving teachers and students.
He explained that the committee undertook fact-finding visits to Kaduna, Kano, Yobe and Zamfara states, while also consulting relevant stakeholders across Katsina State and reviewing existing policies and practices to identify approaches that could be adapted to the state’s peculiar needs.
According to him, the committee recognised the significant role played by Tahfeez schools in preserving Islamic heritage, Qur’anic knowledge and moral values, but stressed the need to strengthen their administration, regulation and educational structure to meet contemporary demands.
“We have looked at the issue of regulation, funding, structure and how the system should be run. All these are provided to ensure that the schools remain functional, properly organised and responsive to current realities and global trends,” he said.
A major focus of the recommendations is the integration of Qur’anic memorisation with recognised educational and skills-development opportunities. Dr. Ruwan Godiya said the proposed reforms would enable qualified Qur’anic memorizers to obtain recognised certification and gain access to higher education and employment opportunities in both the public and private sectors.
He noted that experiences from other states had demonstrated that Qur’anic memorisation could be linked effectively with formal education, enabling graduates of Tahfeez schools to proceed to universities and even postgraduate studies.
“The fact that a child has memorised the Qur’an should not limit his or her opportunities. With the right support, certification and skills, these students can pursue further education and contribute meaningfully to society,” he said.
Among the key recommendations is the transformation of the existing State Islamic Education Bureau into the Katsina State Qur’anic, Arabic and Islamic Education Bureau (QAIEB).
Under the proposed structure, the bureau would have dedicated departments responsible for Qur’anic education, Arabic and Islamic Studies, as well as school services, thereby creating a more coordinated institutional framework for supervising and developing Islamic education in the state.
The committee also recommended the establishment of a comprehensive database covering Almajiri, Islamiyya and Tahfeez schools across Katsina State. The database, according to the report, would assist the government in registration, monitoring, planning and policy implementation.
Other recommendations include the certification of qualified Tahfeez graduates, continuous professional training for teachers, improved welfare packages for both teachers and students, and the establishment of zonal offices across the three senatorial districts.
The committee further proposed the establishment of pilot Tahfeez schools in the three senatorial zones. Under the proposal, the existing structure in Katsina would be strengthened, while additional facilities would be established in the Daura and Funtua zones.
To improve the credibility and progression of Qur’anic education, the committee called for collaboration between the state government and relevant institutions, including the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS), Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University and agencies responsible for Almajiri education and out-of-school children.
Such collaboration, it said, would strengthen certification, research, documentation and pathways for students of Qur’anic schools to progress into higher and formal education.
On implementation, Dr. Ruwan Godiya said the committee had proposed a phased approach. The first 12 months would focus on legal and policy reforms, data collection and registration of the relevant schools.
The second phase would involve curriculum development, full registration and teacher training, followed by the enforcement of standards, large-scale certification and integration of Tahfeez education into broader educational programmes.
The committee also emphasised the need for extensive sensitisation of stakeholders before and during implementation, assuring that the proposed reforms were intended to strengthen the existing system without compromising Islamic principles.
“We are not trying to do anything that contravenes the Sharia. We are trying to empower the system, make it functional for today and create better opportunities for the students tomorrow,” Dr. Ruwan Godiya said.
Responding to the presentation, Governor Radda commended the committee for what he described as a detailed and important contribution towards strengthening Qur’anic education in Katsina State.
The Governor said the recommendations contained important measures for improving the structure, management and effectiveness of Qur’anic education, assuring the committee that the government would study the report thoroughly before taking appropriate action.
“We sincerely thank the Chairman and members of the Committee for a job well done. We will look at the report thoroughly and do justice to the recommendations, In sha Allah,” Governor Radda said.
He, however, called for a critical review of the proposed implementation timeline, suggesting that some of the recommendations could be implemented earlier than envisaged by the committee.
“The timeline needs to be looked at critically because we may be able to achieve some of these things before the proposed timeline. They are possible,” he said.
Governor Radda added that the government would identify recommendations that could be implemented immediately, while establishing appropriate structures for those requiring longer-term planning and implementation.
The Governor further commended the committee members for their commitment and assured that the report would receive the necessary attention as part of efforts by the state government to improve the quality, organisation and relevance of Qur’anic education.
The presentation of the report was attended by senior government officials and members of the committee.
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