Evaluating the Madrasah School System in Lagos State: Transformational Agenda to Meet 21st Century Modern Needs and Realities

Abstract

The “Madrasah” connotes schools purposely built for the preservation of the Islamic faith. They are schools that made the survival of Islam possible even with the presence of imperialists and colonial masters in Nigeria. These schools scattered all over Africa, have equally gained popularity among the Yoruba populace of Lagos State. However, despite the popularity they enjoy among Muslims, the Madrasah system has yet to gain government recognition, approval and neither does it enjoy acceptance and the goodwill of formal education stakeholders. The main objective of this study was to show case the realities of these schools in relation to their functionality with an aim to transforming them to meet up with contemporary and globalized educational needs of the 21st century society. A Survey research design was adopted with the use of a qualitative approach. Using the incidental sampling technique, 23 popular and notable Arabic schools were selected with the objectives to giving a full description of: their teachers and recruitment system; school management policies / systems; available physical environment and resources as well as the viability of the products of such schools. The study concluded with suggestions and recommendations that include amongst others; the imperativeness of the need for stakeholders’ involvement and a transformative agenda for effective needed change in the system.