Grand khadi seeks teaching of English in Islamic schools
By Samuel Luka, Bauchi
The Bauchi state Grand Khadi, Alhaji Dahiru Ningi has called for the inclusion of English Language and some basic modern courses into the curriculum of the Islamic system of education in the country.
The Almajiri schools according to him, should include English and some basic modern education in addition to the Qur’anic recitation.
The grand khadi gave this advice on Sunday during the commissioning ceremony of the Tsangaya and Qur’anic Education Development Centre established by a coalition of Qur’anic teachers in Bauchi.
Khadi Dahiru, who was represented by a Sharia Court Judge, Muhammed Othman El-Mainari maintained that the introduction of basic modern subjects in Islamic schools will enable the pupils learn both religious and worldly knowledge that will enable them relate comfortably with members of the society.
Also speaking, an Islamic cleric in the state, Sheikh Dan’azumi Tafawa Balewa decried the payment of high registration and periodic fees in some modern Islamic schools as this prevents poor parents from enrolling their wards and instead, prefer to send them to schools where they would be taught free of charge.
He called on the government to motivate the Islamic teachers and transform the system with a view to bringing solution to child begging, otherwise known as “almajirci.”
Tafawa Balewa, who noted that the administration of late Head of State, General Sani Abacha initiated reforms in almajiri system of education, lamented that aside former President Good luck Jonathan, successive governments failed to address the problems associated with system.
