Islamic Schools Boost Programs

Islamic schools provide education in many remote communities.

In Ghana, where there is a large Muslim population, many parents choose Islamic schools over the secular public system. Because these schools are located in some of the country’s most remote areas, they provide education for many who would otherwise need to travel long distances to class.

However, many Islamic schools in Ghana lag behind the formal education system. “They are resource-lean operations,” says EDC’s Helen Boyle. USAID Ghana and the Ghanaian government are drawing on Boyle’s expertise in Islamic education as they improve education across the country.

A report prepared by Boyle describes the challenges that face Ghana’s Islamic schools and recommends ways to address these challenges and improve access to education, such as providing teacher training, certification, and learning materials; improving infrastructure; and broadening the curriculum.

Says Boyle, “Stronger Islamic schools will benefit the many Muslims in Ghana who have been shut out of realms of public life and economic advancement.”