Seeking a Change Strategy for Pakistan's Madrassahs

Abstract

The current study was carried out to investigate the perceptions of Madressah system of education. The objective of the study was to explore the perceptions of Madressah students from five Islamic sects (Barelvi, Deo-bandi, Ahle-Hadith, Shia and Jamaiyate-Islami) about madressah system of education at five Lahore madrassahs. Thirty-seven students were questioned through a semi-structured interview schedule about their perceptions of the madrassah system of education. This study revealed that teachers do not match lesson content to the psychological capabilities of their students, which makes the learning of Islamic texts highly dependent on rote memorization. Morality, righteousness and character are seen entirely in terms of being a good Muslim. The protective curriculum insulates against an outside world that is not Islamic. There is support for curricular change with the introduction of more modern, secular subjects. A change model is suggested which draws upon a collaboration of local madressahs brought together by like-minded Islamic scholars and operating through a university curriculum unit, which in turn would receive Central Government funding.