Daily Times

Madaris in Pakistan have a long history. Even before partition, they had a significant role of the religious seminaries in building a separate identity of the Muslims in the Subcontinent. Darul Uloom Deoband and Sindh Madrassatul Islam are among the most prominent madaris which had an active role during the Pakistan movement, although they did have a difference of opinion in what strategy should be used to fight against the British compared to Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s school of thought. Yet it was well said that Sir Syed’s Ali Garh movement and these religious institutions were two rivers with same origin. The involvement of Madrassah students in Zia’s Afghan Jihad bought several changes to the role of madaris.

If one observes the syllabus taught in madaris, one realises that it is quite diverse. A student intending to seek the degree of Alimiya can join a madrassah at any age; however there are certain academic qualifications which are a prerequisite for this. These include qualifications from the madrassah system as well as primary and matriculation level education. It is interesting to note that at the Mutawast level (which is the equivalent of middle school level) students are supposed to be able to read Urdu, Math, Science, English and Pakistan Studies textbooks at the 9th and 10th grade levels. At the upper grades, these subjects are taught to Madrassah students along with other religious subjects.

It is odd that the institution has become associated with extremism and violence over the past decades. While there certainly are madaris which promote violence, all madaris shouldn’t be generalised as terror factories

Pakistan currently has three parallel systems of education; public schools, private schools and madaris. Private schools can be subdivided into the Cambridge affiliated schools and the smaller private schools. Madaris cater to a significant number of students. Currently, there are 1,420,260 male students and 782, 275 female students enrolled at madaris registered under the Wifaqul Madaris.

There are a number of reasons for the presence of madaris and madrassah students. Firstly, as the population of Pakistan is devoutly Muslim, religious education is accorded a significant level of respect. Secondly, madaris offer education at a very low cost, along with food and board. The rampant growth in population, particularly in communities below the poverty line has resulted in more children enrolling at madaris. The families see it as a way to get their child educated while also not having to spend money on the child’s basic amenities. They also see it as a way to ensure their child is saved from damnation on the day of judgement. Thirdly, children who are unable to perform well in public schools are sent to a madrassah for religious education. This is also a very important factor contributing to the growing number of students at religious seminaries.

Madaris still have formal teacher student relationships in which firm boundaries are set and the teacher remains aware of his responsibilities as a mentor. A recent conversation I had with a madrassah student revealed to me that madrassah students hold their teachers in extremely high regard.

There is a culture of corporal punishment in some madaris, however this is a culture that is slowly dying. Most institutions are now done with using corporal punishment. As time passes it will hopefully disappear completely. Certain legislations and the media have played an important role in this regard.

It is odd that an institution with the core values of tolerance, patience and cohesion is now associated with extremism and violence. While there certainly are madaris which promote violence, all madaris shouldn’t be generalised as terror factories. As a country and society, we need to find out how and when our madaris became violent. Furthermore, problems in our public and private systems of education also contribute to growing terrorism. Incidents of intolerance, violence and corporal punishment have occurred at all schools. Students from well off private educational institutions have also been connected to incidents of terrorism.

While madaris are accepted and loved in Pakistan, madrassah students need to be facilitated further. They need to be provided with the kind of benefits and facilities a student has a right to. Their strengths must be found and taken advantage of by society.

The writer has experience in the field of education and is currently working as a resource person in the development sector

Published in Daily Times, November 20^th 2017.