Zulum Unveils Counter-terrorism Curriculum for Islamic Schools in Borno

Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri

Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, has unveiled a unified curriculum for Islamic schools aimed at countering violent extremist ideologies and helping to avert young people from being radicalised by terrorist groups.

At the event held at the council chamber of the Government House yesterday, Zulum said: “Our Islamic schools have been operating without a unified curriculum for at least three to four decades, and that is a matter of great concern to all of us. The so-called Boko Haram insurgency was started as a result of some misleading preaching, therefore, it is imperative for us to devise a means to avert such in future.”

Zulum assured the state that his administration would ensure that all Islamic schools have strictly adhered to implementing their activities based on the new unified curriculum.

He emphasised the importance of teaching and preaching following the authentic content of the holy books.

The governor said: “We are currently witnessing another development recently, we are concerned by the way some scholars preach.” 

“Therefore, the Government of Borno State will do everything possible to ensure that teaching and preaching must comply with the proper content of the holy books.”

Zulum also noted that the new curriculum was prepared based on the policies of the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies which he said will qualify students from private Islamic schools to get admission into universities and colleges.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Arabic and Tsangaya Education Board, Khalifah Sheikh Ali Abulfathi, said the curriculum, which is based on the Maliki School of Thought centred on the teaching of Arabic, Quran, Hadith, Tauhid and fight.

He added that the Board reviewed existing teaching methodologies and instructional materials used by the Islamiyya schools as part of efforts to give the knowledge and values needed.

Abulfathi called on parents and other stakeholders to support the new curriculum to ensure that every child has access to quality Islamic education.