A total of 2,000 students of Arabic schools in Kwara state yesterday sat for mock examinations in preparation for the 2018 Senior Secondary Certifi cate examination of the National Board of Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS). Blueprint reports that the examinations took place in six centres simultaneously across the state namely; Ilorin, Lafi agi, Tsaragi, Jebba, Osi and Oke-Ode, as well as Kaiama.
President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, had last week released the sum of N5 million to bankroll the examination fees of 500 students. Speaking with journalists at the Ilorin examinations centre held College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies (CAILS), the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Mariam Garba, said the examination was conducted as part of the process to formally recognise and regularise Arabic language in the state.
She said: “The examination is an allinclusive arrangement where all registered Arabic and Islamic schools would be carried along in the scheme of things. I want to assure you students that nobody had ever passed through this path and later regret in life. Many of you that have taken this course and many others who have gone through regular universities are not better than you. I want to encourage you not to relent in your efforts and proceed to higher institutions of learning.
“We have a lot of professors in these fields and many others have cross to other professions. This is just an encouragement so that as soon as you finish this exams make sure you endeavour to further because this studies is not only good for nation-building, but also useful for humanity.” She, however, expressed the commitment of the Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed-led government in providing qualitative education for all Kwarans, even as she commended the students for their total compliance with the rules and regulations guiding the conduct of the examination.
In his remarks, the visiting supervisor, Justice Idris Haroon (retd), appealed to government at all levels to prioritise “provision of improved educational platform to further boost the desired growth and development of the nation.” Also speaking, the Chairman of the Kwara State Arabic Education Board, Dr. Abdulkadir Oba-Solagberu, disclosed that at least 75 Arabic and Islamic Schools participated in the examination and thanked stakeholders for the success of the exercise.
