Mr. Yussif Imoru, Brong-Ahafo Regional Manager of the Islamic Education Unit at the weekend appealed to the government to ensure that Arabic studies become examinable at the Basic Education Certificate Examination. Mr. Imoru made the appeal at the 5th annual conference of the Islamic Educational Unit in Sunyani. Vice President Mahama was the Guest Speaker at the conference, which was on the theme: "Islam and education in the globalise world-challenges and the way forward." Mr. Imoru said the unit, which started with less than 10 basic schools in the country, could now boast of 1,160 basic schools with a total enrolment of 268,200 pupils. This, he said, was made possible through the efforts of proprietors, members of the Muslim community and the municipal and district assemblies. Mr. Imoru said the unit had only five public Senior High Schools (SHS) in the country and announced that the regional office of the unit had set up a planning committee to see to the establishment of the first SHS in the area by September this year. In this regard, 7.5 hectares of land had been acquired through the efforts of the Muslim Youth Movement in Sunyani. Mr. Imoru appealed to the government to assist the unit to establish an ultra modern SHS. He said infrastructure was another big challenge to the unit indicating that pupils study under horrible, unhygienic and dilapidated structures. "Other challenges include inadequate government grants to the unit, apathy. of parents towards their children's education," he added. Responding to the appeal, Vice President Mahama urged the Muslim community to reposition itself and view education as the bedrock for development. He gave the assurance that the government would do it best to address the numerous challenges that confronted the Islamic education unit to promote the growth of Arabic studies and Islam as well. Source: GNA