PakTurk Schools: An Alternative to Madrassa Education?
May 5, 2008 by CHUP! Editor - Kalsoom
A friend directed me to a feature article in yesterday’s NY Times. Entitled, “Turkish Schools Offer Pakistan a Gentler Vision of Islam,” the article discussed the advent of Turkish schools that have come to Pakistan “with an entirely different vision of Islam. Theirs is moderate and flexible, comfortably coexisting with the West while remaining distinct from it.” The group of Turkish educators now based in Pakistan are like “Muslim Peace Corps volunteers,” noted the Times, promoting “this approach in schools, which are now established in more than 80 countries, Muslim and Christian.”
Presently, the education system in Pakistan is relatively weak, since the poorest Pakistanis cannot afford to send their children to public schools, “which are free but require fees for books and uniforms.” As a result, many send them to madrassas, religious schools, which offer free food and clothing. Although it’s important to underline that not all madrassas have radical Islamist agendas, the reality is that a number of them do. The NY Times added, “At the same time, a growing middle class is rejecting public schools, which are chaotic and poorly financed, and choosing from a new array of private schools.”
The “PakTurk” schools, which have expanded to seven cities in Pakistan since the first was established a decade ago, offer an alternative approach that the NY Times noted, “could help reduce the influence of Islamic extremists.” The news agency added,
They prescribe a strong Western curriculum, with courses, taught in English, from math and science to English literature and Shakespeare. They do not teach religion beyond the one class in Islamic studies that is required by the state. Unlike British-style private schools, however, they encourage Islam in their dormitories, where teachers set examples in lifestyle and prayer.
What exactly is this model of education? Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish Islamic scholar and preacher with millions of followers in Turkey, is the brainchild behind the model, whose idea is that “without science, religion turns to radicalism, and without religion, science is blind and brings the world to danger.” One source further noted, “The chief characteristic of the Gulen movement is that it does not seek to subvert modern secular states, but encourages practising Muslims to use to the full the opportunities they offer.”
The PakTurk schools are significant because they offer one alternative to the often polarized perceptions of Pakistan’s education system. Instead of families choosing between religious or government-sponsored education, they have more options. And today, the Gulen schools are luckily not the only option. Instead, the model represents just one of the many efforts to improve Pakistan’s education system. CHUP will be publishing a related interview with an education NGO this week, so stay tuned. [Image from the Times -The NY Times piece has an attached slideshow and audio interview with Times writer Sabrina Tavernaise.]
[...] and flexible, comfortably coexisting with the West while remaining distinct […] Read more at: CHUP! - Changing Up Pakistan Tagged as: agendas, dormitories, education system, english literature, feature article, free [...]
As the name suggests, the post does not say enough. What EXACTLY is the point where PakTurk schools are making or going to make the difference.
Its true that Science solely has not been able to give the desired level of civilization to a learner but have we clearly and carefully marked the dynamics which are really involved?
It think what is important here is that (finally) there is an alternative to the current “religious” education–and more importantly, it is an alternative which, as the post cites, is “moderate, flexible, comfortably coexisting with the West while remaining distinct from it.”
The last part of that description is particularly important. One should not deny the contributions of the west towards the advancement of civilization–yet at the same time one’s own cultural identity and historical context must be preserved. From this article, this is what I understand the mission/vision of the PakTurk schools to be.
I don’t think the dynamics can be “clearly and carefully” marked so soon into the experiment, as the above reply points out. Currently we know what the dynamics of the current “religious” education establishment involve, and I think it is safe to say that an alternative would be refreshing, if not necessary, to help nurture a more progressive and inclusive way of thinking.
[...] CHUP! on a newspaper report on the trend of Turkish schools in Pakistan offering an alternative to Madrassa education. Posted by Neha Viswanathan Share This [...]
I read about the Fetullah gulen movement.This is a truly great step in saving Muslims all over the world from being branded as terrorists and trouble makers. Fetullah Gulen’ approach is a wise one a correct one and goes a long way in educating the non-muslims about what Islam really is and who Muslims really are. This movement couldnt have come at a better time. Its a slap in the fact for all anti -Muslims like the Hindu fundamentalists of india who tend to project every muslim as a terrorist . Fetullah Gulen was inspired by his mentor Said Nursi who was a Sufi who transformed by reading the ‘risale-e-nur’ from the holy Quran.
In my view every young pakistani should take complete advantage of this education and join this movement as this is the only movement that empasises on education and self emancipation of the individual. Its a pity that pakistan has not lived up its Islamic ideals of equality and fair opportunities for all its citizens. The disparity of life between the rich and the poor is appalling. Every child in pakistan has a right to complete education and a decent life.
[...] change to Pakistan by providing quality education to the country’s less-privileged youth, [also see a similar news post this week on Pakistan's education system]. CHUP interviewed Tayyeb Afzal of The Citizens Foundation, who commented on the [...]