Wa, Oct. 18, GNA - Shaikh Ibrahim Basha, Chairman of the National Islamic Education Unit Council, has called for the setting up of more Islamic second cycle schools, to facilitate the establishment of an Islamic university in the country.

He said the Council was collaborating with stakeholders to establish Arabic Department in some tertiary institutions to promote the study of the language.

Shaikh Basha was speaking at the Sixth General Meeting of the Council in Wa, which was on the theme: "Promoting quality education: the role of stakeholders".

He called on parents, organisations and Government to jointly ensure the proper upbringing of children so that they would become assets to society.

Shaikh Basha said the Council would support Government to implement policies that aimed at enhancing the welfare of the people.

He commended Government for establishing a cordial relationship with the Muslim community.

Alhaji Issahaque Salia, Upper West Regional Minister, commended the Council for developing a universal syllabus for Arabic Studies at the Primary and Junior High School levels.

He said Government would sustain the Capitation Grant, School Feeding Programme and Free School Uniforms and Exercise Books Programme, to enhance education in the country.

Alhaji Salia appealed to religious organisations to support Government towards the development of the youth, especially girls, who according to him, were being marginalised as a result of obsolete cultural practices.

Alhaji Nurideen A. Salih, Upper West Regional Manager of Islamic Education Unit, asked Municipal and District Assemblies to stop the arbitrary takeover of Islamic Schools.

He called for the re-orientation of Islamic teachers to enable them to discharge their duties in accordance with Islamic principles.

Alhaji Salilh said that efforts were ongoing to ensure that Arabic Language became examinable at basic school level and praised Government for its intention to extend the Ghana Education Trust Fund to Islamic schools.

Alhaji Baba Khalid, General Manager of the Council, called on managers of Islamic schools to work with Government towards the development of the educational institutions.

He cautioned Muslims against marrying girls who have not attained 18 years, since that was illegal.

Alhaji Khalid expressed worry that some parents withdrew their girls from school, for marriage.

He appealed to the people to establishment a fund for brilliant but needy school children to enable them to complete their education.