Investigating the Decline of Arabic Studies in Islamic Senior High Schools in the Kumasi Metropolis

Abstract

The study sought to discover the major causes of fall in standard of Arabic teaching in Kumasi, and to propose effective measures for improving the quality of Arabic language teaching in Islamic secondary schools in Ghana at large. This necessitated a thorough discussion on the development of Arabic studies in Kumasi, as well as a brief biography of selected Muslim scholars, and types of Islamic secondary schools, including their overall objectives and curricula. The study employed a survey method, one of the primary means of gathering basic data on teaching Arabic in Islamic secondary schools, and to describe in detail the reasons for the fall in the standard of Arabic language, in order to reveal some major findings on the phenomenon. The data was gathered via three main research tools: structured and un-structured questionnaire, personal interviews with proprietors of Islamic secondary schools among others, and direct observation. Overall, the study made the following revelations: 1. Arabic language has received several attentions across centuries and from all societies, and Ghana is no exception. 2. Arabic language is one of the strongest ropes that bind Muslims together, as it serves as lingua franca among Muslims across the globe. 3. Arabic language is the sole medium via which the Quran, the code of ethics, is preserved. 4. It was established that Arabic language learning at the Islamic school was of a considerable standing before the millennium. 5. It was held that Kumasi had several scholars who contributed to the growth of Arabic language teaching in Ashanti Region. 6. It was revealed that there is general weakness in the standard of Arabic language teaching in secondary schools. 7. It was established that the standard of Arabic language teaching can be improved via effective means such as: • Seeking approval and recognition of certificates acquired by specialists on Arabic and Islamic studies. • Reorganizing the administrative and management structure of Islamic secondary school. • Institutionalizing of supervision of Islamic secondary school.