Abstract: The AL-MAJIRI school system is a variant of private
Arabic and Islamic schools which cater for the religious and moral development of Muslims. In the past, the system produced clerics,
scholars, judges, religious reformers, eminent teachers and great men who are worthy of emulation, particularly in northern Nigeria.
Gradually, the system lost its glory but continued to discharge its
educational responsibilities to a certain extent. This paper takes a
look at the activities of the AL-MAJIRI schools. The introduction
provides background information about Nigeria where the schools
operate. This is followed by an overview of the Nigerian educational system, the nature and the features of the AL-MAJIRI school system,
its weaknesses and the current challenges facing the schools. The paper concludes with emphasis on the urgent need for a comprehensive reform of the curriculum content of the schools. The step by step procedure required for the reform is discussed.