Bono East Islamic Education Unit calls for support as it supplements government’s educational efforts

The Acting Bono East Regional Manager of the Islamic Education Unit, Alhaji Ahmed Ishawu Saeed, has stated that the Unit plays a significant role in complementing government efforts to ensure that every Ghanaian child has access to quality education.

Speaking in an exclusive interview, Alhaji Ishawu described the Islamic Education Unit as an agent of education mandated to supervise all Islamic schools across the region. According to him, one of the main distinctions between Islamic schools and other public schools is the inclusion of Arabic language and Islamic moral teachings in the curriculum. He further disclosed that moral education is a key component of Islamic schooling.

“The Islamic Unit is an agent of education. We primarily supervise all Islamic schools in the Bono East Region. Currently, we oversee about 85 schools, 45 junior high schools (JHS) and around 40 primary schools. Our main activity is supervision, ensuring that academic standards, discipline, and the well-being of the children align with Ghana’s educational policy direction. In doing so, we are augmenting the government’s efforts to ensure that every growing Ghanaian child has access to quality education.

“The difference between Islamic schools and other public schools lies in the teaching of Arabic. Arabic is a language, just like French, English, or any Ghanaian language. In addition to Arabic, we also incorporate aspects of Islamic religious beliefs and teachings to shape the minds of the children and instill good morals.

“On our timetable, Wednesdays are set aside for worship. Besides that, during the second break, the children also observe salat (prayers). We also integrate the teaching of the Qur’an and hadith. Hadith refers to the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu alaihi wasallam.” He stated

However, he noted that Islamic beliefs are not imposed on non-Muslims who attend Islamic schools across the country.

“Let me be quick to add that we have Christian brethren in our schools. We don’t force anyone to practice Islam in Islamic schools. When it’s time for salat, only the Muslim students observe it, no Christian student is compelled to join.

“The only requirement is that everyone wears the prescribed school uniform. During worship sessions, the focus is on moral lessons such as obedience to parents and the importance of learning, as viewed through the Islamic lens. Our goal is to inculcate morality in the children. That is also one of the key hallmarks of the Islamic Education Unit.” He said.

Despite these noble contributions, Alhaji Ahmed Ishawu Saeed revealed that theIslamic Education Unit if faced with numerous challenges. He revealed that many schools face serious deficits. He also expressed concern about the perception that Islamic schools are for the poor, which negatively affects their image.

“We are facing several challenges, primarily logistical ones. For example, while I can easily reach districts like Kintampo South and Kintampo North, getting to areas such as Sene East, Sene West, Kajaji, Yeji, and Prang becomes difficult. During my last round, I managed to visit about five districts within the region.

“This time, I hope to visit the far eastern parts such as Atebubu, Amantin, Prang, and Sene East  but unfortunately, the office lacks any means of transport. We mainly rely on individuals and other informal sources to support our operations. There’s no financial support from the central government. It’s entirely the Unit’s effort, so most of our challenges are logistics-related.

“When you assess the state of our schools, many face infrastructure challenges. Some lack adequate classrooms, while others have classrooms in poor condition, missing windows, no doors. In fact, I currently have a letter on my desk from a school in New Techiman where a recent storm ripped off the roofing. As we speak, the children can’t use that classroom.

“In some schools, the children don’t even have enough furniture to sit on. Another challenge is perception. Some parents have the mindset that Islamic schools are for the poor as if they’re second-rate institutions.” He dislcosed

Nonetheless, he acknowledged the important support the Ghana Education Service (GES) provides to the Unit, including the School Feeding Programme, the provision of teaching and learning resources, and other logistics.

“GES plays a supportive role because, if you look at it, all the teachers in Islamic schools including myself are on the government payroll. That is one major form of support the government provides.

“In terms of infrastructure, some of the classroom blocks were constructed by the government. The government also supplies some textbooks, organizes workshops, and supports policy direction, monitoring, and supervision at the district level  all of which we carry out in collaboration with GES. So yes, GES supports the Unit significantly.

“When it comes to logistics and other forms of support, the government factors Islamic schools into its broader public education framework. It is the government’s responsibility to provide essential materials for all public schools, including Islamic ones.

“The government’s support comes in as and when it’s possible. For example, some of our schools benefit from the School Feeding Programme, which helps increase enrollment and encourages children to attend school regularly.” He said

He seized the opportunity to appeal to the government to strengthen its support for the Unit.

“However, we still want to appeal to the government to extend more direct support to our Unit offices. The Unit should be included in the national education budget, with specific allocations to enable our offices to function effectively.”

Source: Ghanaweb.mobi