For educating the Muslims – Muslims must take the lead
Submitted by admin4 on 2 July 2010 - 7:27pm
By Shahidur Rashid Talukdar,
Though the noble Qur’an professes the importance of education to the entire humanity, the irony is that beneath the lamp it is always dark. On actual count, due to some unfortunate course of action, Muslims are among the most educationally backward communities in India. Except a few states, the performance of Muslims reckon below the national average almost everywhere. While there are many reasons for the community’s failure in achieving a good educational profile and maintaining the progress, at least one apparent reason is that the community has, in the first place, failed to take appropriate and adequate initiatives towards education. Where there are well-established chains of schools from other communities such as Ramkrishna Mission schools, DAVs, Arya Vidayapeeths, Maharshi Vidyamandirs, host of Christian Missionary schools, to name only a few, imparting quality education among the masses, the Muslim community’s presence in this domain is hardly noticeable.
Unfolding the myth
Glibly put, one can say that the community has not cared enough for formal education rather it has channelized its resources towards religious education by setting up Madrasahs. There might be some truth in the claim, but as a whole it is far from the actual or sole reason. The Sachar Commission Report has revealed that the Madrasahs accommodate only a meager 4% of the total school going Muslim children while the remaining 96% go to secular schools. Besides, there are many who cannot manage to go, at all, to any school, owing to the lack of proper access.
Students at Hajjan Bibi Soghra Hasan Memorial Urdu Girls School in Darbhanga
Even this 4% of the children get enrolled in Madrasahs not necessarily by choice. The report points out that the reasons for enrollment into a Madrasah vary from lack of availability of other schools and linguistic bias to fear of communal harassment. Interestingly, it is found that in such areas where the secular private or public schools are not up to one’s avail, even children from the Hindu community also go to the Madrasahs. There might be a lack of initiatives on the part of the community to set up institutions of formal education, but the level of difficulty the community faces in setting up and getting recognition of such institutions not only daunt the feeble attempts but also deter the community’s motivation. This leads to further exacerbation of the situation.
Recent Developments and Awareness of the Problem
The public findings like the SCR and NSSO reports and individual studies coupled with widespread media coverage of the Muslim milieu, now almost everyone including the Governments, NGOs, and the society at large knows that the Indian Muslim community is far behind the mainstream in terms of educational achievement. Yet another significant development is that a large section of Muslim populace also is acknowledging this backwardness. Owing to such recent developments, now, among the Muslim elites, intellectuals, and a section of youth – a huge debate about the community’s poor performance in the field of education is underway.
An ever-increasing realization of the problem calls for urgent measures to solve it. Having touched the lowest strata of regression towards mediocrity, the community, more than ever, feels the need for a transition from a state of ignorance to participation and from darkness light. As the stakes are high, the efforts to ameliorate the situation must be quick, firm, visionary, sustainable and holistic. Now the question is what needs to be done and how it should be done to maximize the efficiency and return.
Muslims Need Schools and Coaching Centers, first
A realistic assessment of the situation offers a prompt solution that the community needs rigorous intervention at the school level, rather than college or university level. Well groomed, bright, talented and competent Muslim adolescents will find their way through the mainstream colleges, universities and other professional institutions of higher learning. Universities, engineering and medical colleges become relevant only when there is an overwhelming demand for such institutions. Such demand will sustain only when there is an abundant supply of high quality students for schools. Another such necessity is that of highly committed and professionally managed coaching centers. Coaching centers will be the best tools in this transformation process. Because they require less investment, and if efficient enough, they promise a high return – both in terms of improving the quality of students enrolled in a regular course as well success in various competitive examinations.
Muslims Must Take the Lead
Now it becomes important to see how this can be achieved. While the Governments need to provide a suitable platform for development, the community’s role in its emancipation cannot be overemphasized. The community must, at this juncture, resolve to bring a revolution among its members regarding the spread of education both in terms of quality as well as quantity. In order to initiate and sustain such an Educational Revolution there needs to be a movement from the grass roots up to the leadership. Although intervention at the policy level is imperative to bring a change, but people’s involvement in the change process is even more important. Active participation of the entire Muslim community, at each stage of transition, from planning through implementation is a must.
Now the question is how to garner such a participation without creating a mess? Well there could be many ways to develop awareness and motivate people to form special interest groups to create awareness among masses about the importance and expected return of education. While there can be many ways to do it, one way is to attach religious affiliation to education. Seeing the never ending zeal and overflowing passion of the Muslims in religious matters it can said that if the message of worldly education comes through any religious body, it is likely to have a far greater impact than any other secular body among the masses, especially in rural India. Another reason is that these organizations such as Masjid committees, Marqaz, or any other Muslim bodies active at local community level are already functioning, they have a strong network and above all they are inexpensive. Making use of established mechanisms should be easier than developing newer mechanisms for creating awareness or enhancing motivation.
The Muslim religious organizations must assume a more meaningful role in the reconstruction of the society rather than confining themselves to what they are currently preoccupied with. Instead of narrowing their focus exclusively on religious issues, the Muslim scholars should engage themselves towards socio-economic empowerment of the community. Because a community on the margins of the society is not what is recommended by Islam. The role of religious organizations, at this moment, should shift heavily towards disseminating the message of education, channelizing the community resources and monitoring the progress of education amongst the Muslims in particular and society, in general. Imagine the message “Read, in the name of Allah… teacheth man what he knew not” becoming a part of every Friday sermon, the prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) saying: “To seek knowledge is compulsory for every Muslim (male or female)” – becomes the subject of an Ishtema, Tableegh Jama’at moves with the mission of “spreading education across borders”! Imagine the potential impact of it. I am sure it will have much more penetrating effect than a million dollar campaign to spread education among Muslims.
This move, however, should not be viewed as radicalization of education or not to confuse attaching “religious importance to education” with religious or Madrasah education as such. Taking parallel from other communities, it is apparent that involvement of religious organization does not necessarily influence the curriculum in terms of radicalization. The schools or colleges will, after all, follow the mainstream formal curriculum recognized by the government.
Muslim Leadership Must Come Forward
Here comes the role of Muslim leadership, both religious and secular. The Muslim bodies like Jamiat Ulama – e – Hind and other Islamic bodies should come forward to guide and help develop regional and local bodies to conceive the message, crystallize a plan of action and pave the way for moving ahead with it. Further, even more important role for the leadership will be to advocate for the local bodies on higher platforms - state or national level agencies and lobbying for recognition and mobilizing resources for the Muslim educational institutions. Securing the Waqf properties and raising funds from individuals, Government and non-Government sources will be two most prominent issues to be handled by the leadership.
If the participation of the leadership at the top and the community at the bottom can be ensured then the middle level, that is, the technicalities of institution building can be managed by a third party. For effective implementation of the plans formulated by leadership, there needs to be professional agencies, such as Educational Consultants, which have special expertise to setting up schools, coaching centers, recruit teachers, and develop policies to efficiently run those institutions, and so on. These agencies will work as a bridge between the leadership and the masses. Such agencies can either be formed from amongst the educated and progressive community members or can be hired directly by paying for their services.
A three tier arrangement involving the Muslims masses at the bottom, professional agencies at the middle, and the community leaders on the top will greatly take care of the educational deficiency among Muslims of India.
(The writer is a Ph.D. student at Texas Tech University, Texas, USA. Originally he is from Assam, India)
[Photos by Mudassir Rizwan of TwoCircles.net]
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It's never too late to mend...
I agree with most of the comments that Muslims must take initiatives irrespective of what the Government or other agencies do. Another issue is that even high schools are too expensive for the deprived Muslims which form majority of Indian Muslims. But the good news is that Coaching Centers and Academies come at a much lower cost. And then if students acquire enough strength from those centers, they can compete in the mainstream. So this gives the optimum output with minimum input cost. And for the latter, you don't need to have Govt. mandated infrastructure requirements. So you can do it even in your house. There are many such initiatives already on the way. You might like to visit these sites to get an idea:
http://www.biharanjuman.org/
http://sanghati.org
I believe there are many others...doing similar kind of work. It's never too late to mend...let's get going rather than blaming one or the other.
Center needs atleast Rs. 25-30 lakhs
1. You are wrong, Shahid : A coaching center (IIT-JEE or CA) too would need a minimum start up capital (seed money) of Rs. 25-30 lakhs.
Be practical
Hi,
All of us are caught in our own rat race to catch the tail. so who has the time and effort. What i do is simple. Allocate some part of my saving for the good cause.
I donot fund any body education ask them to take loan for education and pay the interest till they complete the education. You know the funny think is that none of these guys have turned back to say even thanks. But i still continue. I feel the most important fact of life is that we love to talk and talk big. We donot want to start and would love to blame the government, politicians etcc. Further nobody wants to give out of their pocket.
Small drops make the ocean. Every individual changes will lead to a great change of the society.
How do you explain ?
I agree that there is severe discrimination against indian muslims when it comes to education, jobs, loans, and commerce. To be honest., their life honor and property are at risk 24x7. Most of the time they are worried about the lurking threat to their lives ! That is the true condition of the 16 crore (160 million) Indian Muslims.
However i have a question to ask Muslims. Their brothers (outside India)., like Dubai and middle-east., God has given them enough economic resources. What is stopping them from studying like Hindu kids of IIT/IIMs ? Please explain to me. If your answer is : well., the topic is related to Indian Muslims., and i must not highlight the condition of Muslims OUTSIDE India geographically, i shall accept it, because it is logical.
However., inspite of your winning a brownie point., my question (and the truth contained therein)., doesnt fade away. Think about it.
Right on Target., Shahid.
Loved your write-up. You analysed the situation perfectly. But muslims thru-out India are extremely poor. They do not have money to feed their kids., and immediate family., where will they get the resources to go for institution-building (and running them !). This can happen only in dreams !
The muslims who have money (like Shahrukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Salmaan Khan., the bhaands., i.e., or like Premji., avoid Muslims like plague (for fear of Hindutva backlash) out of fear cuz if they do anything for Muslims., RSS-Shivsena will initiate a campaign against them as "Desh-Drohis".
90 year Hateful hag Latabai Mangeshkar can build a hospital in Nagpur (where not 1 muslim patient was treated to-date), and no one will say., why not in Malegaon... but if any muslim does in a muslim district., there will be a "hungama".
So the fact is : There is no muslim elite. There arent any muslims in india who have property + liquid cash. Har koi apna apna narak bhog raha hai. They are very poor. So while your analysis is "perfect" and right on spot., there is no audience at which one can direct your appeal. It is well-intended., but will not lead to any result.
But you made an attempt at correct analysis., and i salute THAT. Great thinking. At best i can say., well., be successful., make money (30 crores)., and come establish 1 (one) quality high school in india. Bring your expertise from the US., and TRANSPLANT / REPLICATE it in India. This is the way to go forward. The missionary way. The mission must be to educate every single muslim child (male/female)., so that they take to professional educaition., enrich their community and enrich India.
Jai Hind.
Indian Muslims please change your mindset regarding education
No one can do anything for Indian Muslims unless and until they themselves take initiatives to improve their educational status.It would be wrong to blame govt for not doing enough for the community. It is a common sight in the rural areas of Kishanganj district children running only with a plate to get khichri along with their mothers at the lunch hour in most of the schools( I am talking about the schools where you can find teachers).This is not a vague comment but seen and experienced by me.
1 High School in Rs. 30 crores.
Muslims need QUALITY HIGH SCHOOLS (K-12) following CBSE curriculum. Inspite of the best intentions., neither the Central nor any State Govt. will open 1 (one) High School for Muslims. This is a challenge. Prove me wrong., and i am ready to wait for 5 years ! 1 High School : No... Neither the Central nor any State Govt. would do it. (I have requested Kapil Sibal, but i know., its not going to happen !).
So what now ?
IF Indian muslims do NOT take to secular education, math and science on WAR FOOTING now., they will become the "Harijans" of tomorrow. Lower than SCs and STs., doing jobs like Mehtar (cleaning drainage), hawkers., rickshaw pullers, labour etc.
There is NO Muslim elite. That term is an insult and a misnomer. The whole Indian Muslim Community is poor (except for few names RSS rants : Azim Premji, Shahrukh Khan, Sania Mirza). SO who will bell the cat ?
Answer : NO ONE.
1 High school (Fixed expenses : 2 acres of land + block of 36 class rooms and Recurring expenses : Staff Salaries. Quality staff doesnt come cheap !) A quality school with great teachers., using IT tools (Smart Class)., show-casing to the world that Muslims can also excel. We need muslim students who study for 10 hours a day (over and above 8 hours of school). I am very desirous to interact with Narayana and Sri Chaitanya (Hyderabad AP)., absorb / study their course materials., interact with Super 30 Patna (Anand Kumar)., and Abhayanand (Rahmani-30)., learn from their experience. Of course students would have to PAY for this quality education.
AND MUSLIM STUDENT IS NOT IN A POSITION TO PAY SCHOOL FEES.. BUY BOOKS.. SCHOOL DRESS ! SO HE BECOMES A CHILD LABOUR.
I thought about this very deeply. Should we charge high fees during the day session (9 AM - 3 PM) and have a session for the poor muslim kids in the evening session (4 PM - 8 PM) to teach the poor muslim kids. Utilising the infrastructure to the maximum.
"Appeased" Musalmaan bahut gareeb ho chukaa hai, and is now at the lowest rung of the ladder. Its poverty is visible to the naked eye., and yet BJP says : Muslims are appeased and living 5-star lives. Thats cuz because BJP would ideally like to exterminate Indian Muslims to the last man woman and child.
NOW we need institution-building. QUALITY HIGH SCHOOLS, are the first step in this steep climb.
Since estabilshing quality High school entails a price tag of Rs. 30 crores., i am seriously .. very seriously.. contemplating an "Academy" to train Muslim students.. IIT-JEE Academy (18 hours grind for 2 years., after Xth).. but if that is expensive.. CA Academy (10 hour grind after XIIth) for 5 yrs.
But where are the Muslim students... who would attend college (8 hours)., and also study for 10 hours... i.e. 8+10 = 18 hours of study... what is left.. is 6 hours of sleep... aur bas. Unfortunately., we have few muslim students of this calibre. THis constituency must now increase. THat is one... (Raw material hona chaahiye).. .
+ Institution building ka kaam shuroo karna. I dont have land.. or any other property.. or other means. I have my house. I am willing to convert it into a IIT-JEE or CA Academy. I will move into a small 1-bedroom rented apartment..
Personal sacrifice is inevitable now. We dont need muslim talkers / orators. We need Muslim Karmayogis... who are as driven... as the RSS worker.
Let's get started
Mr Bahaar Phoolpuri! You have a nice pen-name. I agree with you on the idea that even high schools are too expensive for us. But the good news is that Coaching Centers and Academies come at a much lower cost. And then if students acquire enough strength from those centers, they can compete in the mainstream. So this gives the optimum output with minimum input cost. And for the latter, you don't need to have Govt. mandated infrastructure requirements. So you can do it even in your house. There are many such initiatives already on the way. You might like to visit these sites to get an idea:
http://www.biharanjuman.org/
http://sanghati.org
I believe there are many others...doing similar kind of work. It's never too late to mend...let's get going rather than blaming one or the other.
gr8 expressions of ur heart
gr8 expressions of ur heart and feeling for the community Mr Bahaar...There are many people across India who thinks this way..Many initiatives are actually going on at various places...if more people from various parts of the country come together for the common cause with more activities and result oriented works other than seminars and conferences we can do more on grass-roots levels...Schooling our children is the prime important..we have to take stock of it from all the states...
I am one from Kerala, want to devote for educational activities, engage with more youths and youngsters for all positive things,
and many more are there...
Kerala is a beautiful place.
Zubair : If you have land, you must plan and set up a quality high school. Mrs. Mary Roy (mother of the great writer Ms. Arundhati Roy) runs the school "Pallikoodam" (The School) in Ernakulam, i guess. Her school was designed by Laurie Baker (the great British Architect who settled in Kerala with his Keralite wife !). This will be the work of a lifetime.
Do you have land ? If so., start. This should be your legacy. Rise above the normal. Everyone is marrying., having kids., then those kids are re-producing. Being NANA-DADA is not the pinnacle (Meraaj) of life. Even dogs, cats, rats and cockroaches become Nanas and Dadas.
The difference between cats, dogs and man is., that man can build "Institutions". So my best wishes with you. If you have land., the next need would be resources. You will have to build the school brick-by-brick.
But will the Kerala muslim student study ? At age 15 (without moustache), he gets a passport made (showing his age as 21), and flies to Dubai / Middle-east to make Paratthas for 1 Riyal / Dirham., wash cars., sell "Poppadams"., sell karya-paat in vegetable markets., make egg-omlette sandwiches for 1 riyaal/dirham. Boys dont stay in kerala after age 15. And the girls are pushed into identity politics. Singing religious song. Black dupatta. Where are the Kerala muslim boys who will prepare for IIT-JEE.
The condition of Kerala muslims is horrible. The condition of muslims (thru-out India) is horrible. All are poor (in every sense of the word). The quality of student is extremely poor too. This must change.
1. The mindset must change.
2. We must have in place infrastructure (institutions) to absorb the bubbling intake of talent.
Eduction!!!!!
We can live without roti, kapda or makaan, but cann't live without education. This is the whole Islamic message.
Forget Israel, America type of stories related to Muslims, because they are there to keep us enganged in non-sense things even though they are very important, but now the question is for our entire Muslim nation survival not a piece of land...
Just go for Education and education and education blend with religious teachings. Go for all the education around the world.
We will start now, just now.
Community Advocacy for Schools
Having adequate number of schools and having schools that provide quality education are matters that depend on local citizens, the parents, or the "consumers". They must organize into pressure groups and keep bugging the politicians and administrators on an ongoing basis to get quality schools in their communities and to see to it that such schools maintain their standards.
What Shahid has mentioned is
What Shahid has mentioned is very important. Muslims across India should not wait for initiatives from the government. Community leaders (of all colours and of all groups) should take education and career guidance as their prime priority. Recently, the minority affairs ministry announced scholarship for minority students who study from first standard to PhD. this is distributed at local level. In each locality somebody or other should take care of this kind of things and volunteers should take initiative to make this kind of scholarships available for the needy and not to go lapse..one important thing is that there are no primary schools in many of the muslim-populated villages, especially in north. We should focus on primay and secondary schooling..if students complete schooling well, then there is no need even for crying for reservations at higher levels. What is the use of reservations and scholarships at higher levels of education when there are not even sufficient candidates from the community to apply. We often cry of foul and discrimination at recruitment. What i understood is that at most of the time suitable applicants from the community will not be there..
so we have to make concerted effort to be at par with other communities and to create good individuals, good citizens who work for a brighter India and for the benifit of humanity
Zubair Hudawi, JNU, New Delhi
Well said, but who is going to do
Author has very objectively given out the current situation. But the question is who is going to do it, is the billion dollar question. Invariably the muslim insituation in india has got more urgent work like fatwa, isreal etcc. First of all, the most important aspect is that the acceptance of the reality and the problem to initiate corrective action.
Invariably it will be blame game. Why cannot the community pool the resource using shariah compliant institution to fund education as starting institution in india is a bigger challenge. A model panchayat from paris
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