Shortage of Arabic, Islamic Studies teachers hits Adamawa schools

Public primary and secondary schools in Adamawa State are currently reeling under an acute shortage of teachers for Arabic and Islamic Studies.

The Nigeria Association of Teachers of Arabic and Islamic Studies (NATAIS) disclosed this in a communiqué issued at the end of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at the Federal College of Education, Yola, Adamawa State.

The group, in the communiqué jointly signed by its President, Prof Musa Adesina Abdu-Raheem and his Secretary, Dr. Muhammad Shariff Ramadan, said the two disciplines are currently missing in the courses offered in Adamawa State University Mubi and Modibbo Adama University, Yola, adding that same is the case in some other states in the federation.

NATAIS, therefore urged, the Adamawa State government to expedite action in recruiting the available and qualified teachers of Arabic and Islamic Studies into public primary and secondary schools in the state and introduce the Departments of Arabic and Islamic Studies in all relevant tertiary institutions in the state.

The group also enjoined other states to do the needful in making provision for Arabic and Islamic Studies in their institutions of learning.

Meanwhile, the 39th yearly national conference of the association has been slated for between December 16 and 21, 2022 at Maiduguri, Borno State. NATAIS urged stakeholders in Arabic and Islamic Studies and the general public, in and outside the country, to endeavour to participate and present academic papers at the upcoming conference.

Expressing worry over the flood that has ravaged some parts of the country, NATAS said government at all levels should adhere to professional advice and guidelines with respect to climate change, be proactive in evacuating people from flood prone areas and come to the aid of the affected areas with humanitarian assistance.