Date: 2018-05-16

A total of 2,000 students in Kwara State have participated in the conduct of mock examinations for Arabic schools in the state. The examination was conducted in preparation for the 2018 Senior Secondary Certificate Examination of the National Board of Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS).

It was gathered that about 75 Arabic schools were involved in the exercise, which held in seven centres, Ilorin, Lafiagi, Tsaragi, Jebba, Osi and Oke-Ode and Kaiama.

THISDAY learnt that the examination was organised by the state Arabic Education Board under the supervision of the state Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the examination in Ilorin, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Alhaja Marian Garba said the state government is committed to the development of Arabic Language education in the state.

Garba, who expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the examinations, noted that the exercise was to formally recognise and regularise Arabic Language education in the state.

"The examination is an all-inclusive arrangement where all registered Arabic and Islamic schools would be carried along in the scheme of things.

"We have a lot of professors in this field and many others have crossed to other professions. This is just an encouragement so that as soon as you finish this examination make sure you endeavour to further because this studies is not only good for nation building but also useful for humanity."

She expressed the commitment of the Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed-led government in providing quality education for all Kwarans even as she commended the students for their compliance with the rules and regulations guiding the conduct of the examination.

In his remark, the visiting supervisor, Justice Idris Haroon (rtd) appealed to government at all levels to prioritise the provision of improved educational platform to boost the desired development of the nation.

Haroon, who is also a retired Grand Khadi of the Kwara State Shariah Court of Appeal, Ilorin, commended lauded the Senate President, Bukola Saraki for sponsoring 500 Arabic students for the 2018 Senior Islamic Certificate Examination with N5 million.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Kwara State Arabic Education Board, Dr. Abdulkadir Oba-Solagberu, disclosed that about 75 Arabic and Islamic schools participated in the mock examination and thanked all stakeholders for the successful conduct of the exercise.