Bring Arabic schools under the secular system

Authorities of purely Islamic or Arabic basic schools have been urged to bring those schools under the country’s secular educational regime to broaden their curricular.

Mr. James Gunu, Akatsi North District Chief Executive (DCE), making the call said Moslem children must also become all-round graduates, enlightened and prepared for the world and as assets for the country.

He was addressing the first anniversary ceremony of the transformation of Ansarul-Islam Primary School, an Arabic school, into a secular one at Ave-Afiadenyigba.

Mr. Gunu said though the Government would not frown on faith groups moulding their youths to tow certain lines, it considered education to be a key legacy for the child, which no faith must undermine. He commended the progress made by Ansrul-Islamic School since its switch-over and announced that his outfit had just acquired chairs and tables for teachers of the school, and that the school would also benefit from every government support.

Mr. Gunu tasked the stakeholders to commit to the duty of improving on educational standards in the area and for parents to instill discipline in their children.

Alhaji Iddris Saliuh, Assembly Member of the area, said Islam recognized education as a right of the child of both sexes.

Mr. Amedor Abass, Manager, Volta Regional Islamic Education Unit, condemned the lukewarm and self-help approach efforts at education in Moslem communities.

He, however, commended the Ave-Afiadenyigba Moslem Community for their support for educational issues.

Mr Abass called for the expansion of the school to include a Junior and Senior High School education.

He said the Unit had plans to introduce the teaching of the French Language in Islamic Schools in the region.

Mr. John Badzi, a Circuit Supervisor, District Education Directorate, condemned the rising levels of youth waywardness and questioned what some school pupils could be doing late in the night in town.

He also expressed dismay at the way some young people were misusing cellular phones.

Togbi Dunyo IV, paramount chief of Atanve, advised Moslems to remain peaceful and avoid copying or inviting dangerous Islamic doctrines that was tearing some countries such as Nigeria apart.

An appeal for funds in support of the school yielded about GH¢2, 000.00.