Deeni Madaris Poorman s Public Schools

The case study of Jamia Hafsa leads us to the conclusion that unless the head of an educational institution is rational, a man of character conviction, principled, committed and devoted, he is likely to be carried away by external destructive influences to spell its doom. It should be firmly understood that an educational institution is what its principal is. It should be acknowledged that to start with the madrassa system was being run in Pakistan on most primitive lines. Its product was imperfect which was to assume the responsibility of running the next generation of madrassas in the capacity of their heads. They failed to raise the standards of the madrassas to the heights they were capable of rising. Reason was that these half baked mullahs had not been groomed to handle the institutions with the required amount of professional efficiency. Under the madrassa reforms that have been introduced so far they are required to get themselves registered with s respective Board, teach all subjects being taught in the mainstream schools and colleges of the country. They have been promised financial aid for the purpose and all necessary equipment. But this much effort at reforms is not enough. It hardly skims the problem.

Bookish knowledge whether religious or general, does not produce men of character, which should be the real aim of any good educational institute. It has to be supplemented with co curricular and extra-curricular activities as well which surely develop forceful personalities with a much expanded world view of the mind.  It is a matter of utmost misfortune that the inexhaustible potential of the madrassa has not been fully appreciated. They have in them the making of Poor Man ‘s Public Schools of the future. They have their own buildings and are residential in nature. These are the two basic requirements of a Public School. The others are a progressive curricula to meet the demands of the modern times, provision of competition in debates, declamation contests, Husn-e-Qiraat, indoor and out door games, visit to places of educational and historical interests, regular library visits and awareness of computer technology etc The students remain under the vigil of their teachers and housemasters who also live on the campus. They are provided opportunities to compete with the students of famous Public schools of the country to give them broader exposure and confidence.

The most outstanding feature of Madrassa Public Schools (the word madrassa includes the religious character of such schools) should remain intact i.e. it should be the exclusive preserve of the poor students, as at present, and should keep on providing character building services free of costs as before. As these madrassas become centers of excellence, students from all walks of life would become anxious to join them. This tendency has to be strictly curbed. Before granting admission the antecedents of the parents of the students should be verified. Absolute poverty and destitution of parents will be the main criteria for admission. If this policy is strictly, adhered to the philanthropic spirit of the people will make sure that the Schools never fall short of funds. The grant-in-aid from the government will be in addition to that. While the current classes in progress will proceed with their syllabi as before, the beginning of the new system should start from class of the I which will be promoted from year to year to eventually become the senior-most class of the Madrassa Public School.