Madarsa System of Education in Pakistan: Challenges and Issues

Abstract

Madrasa system of education faces many challenges and issues all over the world. Having glorious past, Madrasas are now considered as promoting terrorism and extremism. In Pakistan, where religious institutions are found in large quantity, these institutions are made responsible for giving training to terrorists and fundamentalists. The western media and countries consider these institutions as the jihad factories. Whatever the challenges and issues, these institutions face today, were cultivated in 1980s decay during Afghan-Soviet war. Many Madrasas were pushed into the war due to external pressure. The element of violence entered into some of the Madrasas in Pakistan following jihadi ideology during that era. The Madrasas were given lot of funds by USA for the war training and sending students to Afghanistan to take part in the war. Soon after the war was over, USA stopped providing funds to these institutions. As a result these institutions started facing issues and challenges. They tried to consume raw material in the shape of war trained students in the global market. Many international agencies started hiring these institutions for their own benefit. Because of these few extremist organizations, the whole Madrasa system of education is blamed. Besides, Madrasa system of education does not adapt change. The curriculum, syllabus and teaching techniques are very old and inflexible. The formulation and update of aims, goal, objectives, vision and mission has not been given due importance in this system. The connections of Madrasas with Afghan Talban and ideological differences among them have given rise to financial crisis. There is a communication gap and lack of trust between Government representatives and Madrasa organizers. Though government has made the registration mandatory, yet a vast majority of the Madrasas is still unregistered.
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