By Syed Khaled Shahbaaz,
Hyderabad: In a move that may surprise several Indian academicians, Malaysia is all set to establish as many as 1,000 schools in India by 2020. These institutions named as Brainy Stars International are aimed at imparting education to the growing population of students in urban and rural India in a more ‘practice-oriented’ approach.
Discussing the prospects and scope of an ‘Alternation Education System’ at Muslim Education Social and Cultural Organization (MESCO), Dr. Hasnain, Advisor – Ministry of Education of Malaysia expressed interest in better understanding education system in Indian Muslim schools to exchange best practices and strategies for improvement.
Dr. Tn. Hasnain Muhammed, Advisor – Ministry of Education, Malaysia addressing educationists and academicians on ‘Alternate Education System’ at MESCO in Hyderabad on Thursday.
He said that education is a movement that has to continuously develop to evolve. He exclaimed that there was no scope for ‘trial and error’ while implementing any education system. Presenting a paper summarizing over 20 years of his research in this arena, he said conventional system of education is based on ‘learning theory’ while an ‘integrated holistic system’ of education is based on learning practices and follows a more practical approach. The latter allows students to imbibe knowledge by ‘understanding’ the concepts rather than ‘learning’ the same.
Aimed at regulating educational norms and practices in participating schools, the Brainy Stars International School reportedly aims at abating the irregularities in educational institutions, particularly schools with both modern and Islamic education.
Dr. Yusuf Azam, Chairman – Azaan International School said that for a student to fathom the essence of education, it is important for a teacher to connect the student to the creator. It is the responsibility of the institution to put what they (students) learn into practice so that it becomes Amal (deed) and we get Jazaah. He also said that teachers must become role models so children see them and mimic their actions.
Dr. Hyder Vali, Chairman – Brainy Stars, Syed Tanvir Ahmed, Executive Director – Brainy Stars, Dr. Fakhruddin Mohammed, Dr. Yusuf Azam, Chairman – Azaan International School, Dr. Iftekhar, Mr. Ghayas ul Islam, Mr. Khadeer, Dr. M.A.Rafeeq, Mr. Lateef Khan and others voiced their ideas.
Dr. Hasnain, who was on his maiden visit to India visited Bangalore where 5 schools have already been established before visiting Hyderabad to discuss future prospects and exchange intellect. A large number of educationists and heads of prominent educational institutions registered their attendance in the meeting organized by MESCO and Shaheen Group of Institutions (Bidar) on Thursday.
In his presidential remarks, Dr. Fakhruddin Mohammed, Secretary – MESCO encouraged absorption of pivotal best practices to bolster education and proposed to establish a center for refining teachers to better nurture the leaders of tomorrow.