Arabic Studies to become examinable subject in WASSCE
President John Dramani Mahama has stated that Arabic Studies would be included in the examinable subjects at the senior high school (SHS) level beginning from the 2017 academic year.
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According to him, Arabic will also be made examinable at the basic education level in the 2017/2018 academic year.
“The government has, therefore, put in measures to ensure that the colleges of education are empowered to train more Arabic and Islamic scholars,” he stated in a speech read on his behalf by the Chief of Staff, Mr Julius Debrah.
Inauguration
Mr Debrah announced this at the inauguration of the Federation of Islamic Senior High Schools in Ghana (FISHSIG), in Accra last Saturday.
The move is intended to contribute towards improvement in the standard of education in Islamic schools in the country.
In addition, making the subject examinable would also stimulate monitoring and supervision in Islamic schools, as well as ensure that courses offered in those schools were in line with national aspirations.
The event was on the theme: “Promoting Quality and Holistic Education-The Role of Islamic Senior High Schools.”
FISHSIG is under the auspices of the Baraka Policy Institute (BPI), a research organisation.
The President pledged the government's support to the federation and urged it to work in the interest of national development.
Mr Debrah later swore in an eight-member executive body which would steer the affairs of the federation.
Assurance
The president of FISHSIG, Sheik Mohammed Kamil, gave the assurance that the federation would put in efforts to ensure that there was quality teaching and learning in Islamic schools in the country.
“It will interest you to know that we have 38 Islamic SHSs across the country. This shows the seriousness of Muslims towards education in recent times,“ he said.
“We believe the way forward for our country’s development is academic excellence and good moral upbringing. A morally sound professional is what we need in order to achieve the goals of our proposed 40-year National Development Plan,” he stated.
Commendation
The Northern Regional Director of Education, Alhaji Mohammed Haroon, commended the federation, the Baraka Policy Institute, and all stakeholders for their efforts.
He advised the leadership of the federation to always consult Muslim clerics before mapping out their programmes.
