A disturbing video circulating on Twitter has sparked outrage across Nigeria, showing a young child in distress after reportedly being tied to a tree for failing to properly recite the Qur’an at Arewa Al-Majiri School. The video, which quickly went viral, has raised serious concerns about the treatment of children in some Islamic schools in Northern Nigeria, particularly in the Al-Majiri system, and has prompted calls for immediate reforms.
In the video, a young boy can be seen crying uncontrollably while being restrained to a tree. According to reports, the child had been asked to recite a passage from the Qur’an during a regular session at the Arewa Al-Majiri School. Unfortunately, the child struggled to pronounce the words correctly, which led to the harsh punishment.
The video, which was filmed by a bystander, shows the child sobbing in pain and fear as he is tied to the tree. His hands are bound behind his back, and he is unable to free himself. The child’s cries echo in the video, drawing attention to the extreme nature of the punishment. The footage quickly spread across social media platforms, especially Twitter, where it has drawn significant attention from both Nigerians and international viewers.
While the identity of the child and the individuals involved in the incident remain unclear, the video has led to widespread condemnation, with many questioning the practices in Al-Majiri schools.
The Al-Majiri system has been a cornerstone of Qur’anic education in Northern Nigeria for centuries. It traditionally serves children, many of whom come from poor families, who are sent to these schools to learn how to read, memorize, and recite the Qur’an. Though the system plays an important role in preserving religious teachings, it has long been criticized for its outdated methods and often harsh discipline.
In many Al-Majiri schools, children are taught by local Qur’anic scholars, sometimes with little formal training in modern educational methods. This system has often been criticized for a lack of proper infrastructure, overcrowding, and inadequate facilities. Additionally, many children in the Al-Majiri system are forced to engage in manual labor to help support their teachers or the school, leaving little time for proper study.
While there are benefits to the system, including providing children with knowledge of the Qur’an, many experts argue that it fails to equip children with other important life skills, such as literacy in modern subjects like mathematics, science, and English.
The video showing the child’s punishment has ignited a public outcry, with many Nigerians expressing shock and anger at the cruelty displayed in the video. Social media users have condemned the actions of the teachers and the administration of the Arewa Al-Majiri School, calling for accountability and reforms in the system.
One Twitter user wrote, “This is heartbreaking! No child deserves to be treated this way. We must demand justice for this poor child and put an end to such inhumane practices in our schools.”
“This is beyond unacceptable,” said one education expert. “We have to reform the Al-Majiri system to ensure that children are not only educated properly but also treated with dignity and respect. Violence and humiliation should never be a part of any educational system.”
Social media platforms like Twitter have played a major role in bringing attention to the issue. The widespread sharing of the video has shone a spotlight on the harsh realities faced by many children in the Al-Majiri system. This has led to increased public pressure on the government and authorities to act swiftly.
While social media has helped expose the problem, some critics have raised concerns about the way the video was shared. “While it’s important to raise awareness about such issues, we must be careful not to further traumatize the child or his family by circulating the video,” one social media user commented.
Despite the concerns about the video’s distribution, there is no doubt that its viral spread has brought attention to the need for reform in Al-Majiri schools and better protection for the children enrolled in them.
The incident at Arewa Al-Majiri School highlights the urgent need for reforms in the Al-Majiri education system. Education experts have long called for changes to the way Qur’anic schools operate, citing the need for better training for teachers, improved facilities, and more support for students.
“We cannot allow the education system to continue in a way that harms children,” said an education advocate. “It is time to prioritize the well-being of students and ensure that they are not subjected to physical or emotional abuse in the name of discipline.”
Reform advocates have called for increased government involvement to regulate Al-Majiri schools and ensure that they follow proper standards of care and education. Some have also suggested that these schools should integrate modern subjects alongside Qur’anic teachings to better prepare children for life in a rapidly changing world.
In recent years, a few northern states have made efforts to reform the Al-Majiri system, with initiatives aimed at improving teacher training and providing better resources for students. However, these efforts remain limited, and many schools continue to operate without oversight, leaving children vulnerable to mistreatment.
As public outrage grows over the incident at Arewa Al-Majiri School, pressure is mounting on government officials and local leaders to take immediate action. Some community leaders have called for a thorough investigation into the incident and for those responsible to be held accountable.
The government has yet to release an official statement on the incident, but many are hoping that it will take swift action to address the concerns raised by the video. In the meantime, activists and educators continue to advocate for reforms that will ensure the safety and dignity of children in the Al-Majiri system.
