Education: Mainstream, Islamic, or Home School?

[Sarah Mc]

As salamu aleykum wa rahmatullah,
I know I'm young, but I just ask out of my curiosity...

1 What type of education is best for a Muslim child?

Mainstream

I've heard several stories about Muslim children having to be taken out of mainstream schools to either go to an Islamic school or to be home schooled because of bullying from other pupils. Some even get bullied by the teachers due to religion discrimination. My school is taught about different religions and to respect them - in fact my primary school and my high school has done that.

But is mainstream school the best option for a Muslim child?

Islamic

I've heard several good stories about Islamic school - but I don't know much about them.

Do they follow the same curriculum as mainstream schools? Do they learn about respect of other religions and about them? Do they get given homework and do they, in English-speaking countries (or any non-Arabic speaking country, for that matter) get taught modern Arabic or any other kind of Arabic? And how does the school year format go? In mainstream, some schools have nurseries which are from age 3 to 4 and at age 4 they go into the infant department of primary school: reception (age 4 to 5), year one (age 5 to 6) and year two (age 6 to 7), then to junior department: year three, (age 7 to 8), year four (age 8 to 9), year five (age 9 to 10) and year six (age 10 to 11). then it goes to high school and the same format goes. of course then there's sixth form, i won't go into that - but what's the format for islamic schools?

Home School

I've also heard several good stories about home schooling, but I can think of a down side to that already - what about socialising with other people and other children? This is very important in a child's life, and it's best from an early age. How long does home schooling go on for in terms of time per day? Does the private tutor come to teach every lesson each and every day of the week, Monday to Friday?

Do they follow a similar curriculum to Islamic schools or mainstream and are they expensive?

Thanks

Sarah

[not known]

according to me the best option is of home schooling

and yes its abit costlier/cheaper (depends on u) and regarding social life. islamic life is more important and it depends on ur behaviour how the child comes out, if u teach him to be social then he will be social

@islamic schools there are two types one teach only quran and hadith while other teaches the syllabi of mainstream along with quran or islamic studies

[Iftikhar]

Muslim Schools

London School of Islamics is an educational Trust. Its aim is to make British public, institutions and media aware of the needs and demands of the Muslim community in the field of education and possible solutions.

Slough Islamic school Trust Slough had a seminar on Muslim
education and schools in Thames Valley Atheltic Centre. The seminar was addressed by the education spokesman of MCB. I could not attend the seminar but I believe lot of Muslims from Slough and surrounding areas must have attended. Very soon, the Muslims of Slough will have a state funded Muslim
school but there is a need for more schools. A day will come when all Muslim children will attend state funded Muslim schools with bilingual Muslim teachers as role model.

Muslim schools are not only faith schools but they are more or less bilingual schools.

Bilingual Muslim children need to learn standard English to follow the National Curriculum and go for higher studies and research to serve humanity. They need to be well versed in Arabic to recite and understand the Holy Quran. They need to be well versed in Urdu and other community languages to keep in touch with their cultural roots and enjoy the beauty of
their literature and poetry.

Bilingualism is an asset but the British schooling regards it as a
problem. A Muslim is a citizen of this tiny global village. He/she does not want to become notoriously monolingual Brit. Pakistan is only seven hours from London and majority of British Muslims are from Pakistan.

More than third of British Muslim have no qualifications. British school system has been failing large number of Muslims children for the last 60 years. Muslim scholars see the pursuit of knowledge as a duty, with the
Quran containing several verses to the rewards of learning. 33% of British Muslims of working age have no qualifications and Muslims are also the least likely to have degrees or equivalent qualifications. Most of estimated 500,000 Muslim school-aged pupils in England and Wales are educated in the
state system with non-Muslim monolingual teachers. Majority of them are underachievers because they are at a wrong place at a wrong time.

Bilingual Muslim children need state funded Muslim schools with bilingual Muslim teachers during their developmental periods. There is no place for a non-Muslim child or a teacher in a Muslim school. As far as higher education is concerned, Muslim students can be educated with others. Let Muslim
community educate its own children so that they can develop their own Islamic, cultural and linguistic identities and become usefull members of the British society rather than becoming a buden.

We are living in an English speaking country and English is an
international language, therefore, we want our children to learn and be well versed in standard English and at the same time well versed in Arabic, Urdu and other community languages. Is there anything wrong with this approach?

It is not only the Muslim community who would like to send their children to Muslim school. Sikh and Hindu communities have started setting up their schools. Last week. British Black Community has planned the first all black school with Black teachers in Birmingham.

Scotland's first state funded Muslim school could get the go ahead within months after First Munister Alex Salmond declared he was sympathetic towards the needs and demands of the Muslim community.

[Sarah Mc]

Salam
Thanks for your replies, they were very helpful

Sarah

[aamna929]

this is something i've been thinking about a lot. i want my son to have the best education right from the start. i received a ****py public school education, which i believe carried over to later academics, and i don't want my son to experience that, inshaAllah.

i was thinking of homeschooling, but it's rather difficult to do in my home state. i might need to move elsewhere, inshaAllah.

i'm researching on public school districts that boast of high passing marks on exams and decents budgets. any school with a limited budget probably means a low-quality education (because less money = less salary for teachers, less resources for children, etc.).

i don't know much about the islamic schools in the us, but it is something i am also looking into. my husband and i think a school overseas, perhaps in saudi arabia or UAE might have better islamic schools.. shifting there is the only issue.

i still have some time left before my son actually starts school, but i am still going to be researching the best options for my son, inshaAllah.

[Bint_Mas'ud]

As salamu aleykum wa rahmatullah,
I know I'm young, but I just ask out of my curiosity...

1 What type of education is best for a Muslim child?

Mainstream

I've heard several stories about Muslim children having to be taken out of mainstream schools to either go to an Islamic school or to be home schooled because of bullying from other pupils. Some even get bullied by the teachers due to religion discrimination. My school is taught about different religions and to respect them - in fact my primary school and my high school has done that.

But is mainstream school the best option for a Muslim child?

Islamic

I've heard several good stories about Islamic school - but I don't know much about them.

Do they follow the same curriculum as mainstream schools? Do they learn about respect of other religions and about them? Do they get given homework and do they, in English-speaking countries (or any non-Arabic speaking country, for that matter) get taught modern Arabic or any other kind of Arabic? And how does the school year format go? In mainstream, some schools have nurseries which are from age 3 to 4 and at age 4 they go into the infant department of primary school: reception (age 4 to 5), year one (age 5 to 6) and year two (age 6 to 7), then to junior department: year three, (age 7 to 8), year four (age 8 to 9), year five (age 9 to 10) and year six (age 10 to 11). then it goes to high school and the same format goes. of course then there's sixth form, i won't go into that - but what's the format for islamic schools?

Home School

I've also heard several good stories about home schooling, but I can think of a down side to that already - what about socialising with other people and other children? This is very important in a child's life, and it's best from an early age. How long does home schooling go on for in terms of time per day? Does the private tutor come to teach every lesson each and every day of the week, Monday to Friday?

Do they follow a similar curriculum to Islamic schools or mainstream and are they expensive?

Thanks

Sarah

This is an excellent question, sister =) I oftentimes think about this myself. Personally, I think home schooling is the best option. This way, parents can keep a close eye on their children and make sure they get an excellent education at the same time. Lack of socialization can be a factor , but there are other options such as getting together with other families who home school their children, or involving them in various extracurricular activities such as karate or swimming. I actually know a sister who does this, and mashaAllah her children are wonderful =)

Islamic schools are also a wonderful option. Alhamdulillah I have studied in an Islamic school for a large portion of my life, and I have benefited from them tremendously. The only downside is, parents often assume that since a school is Islamic, everything will be ok. This is not true, and it is very, very important for parents to be extra-involved in making sure their children are with the right group of friends and in righteous company.

[Springarden]

just wanna share an interesting blog by a muslim sister on how she run her home ed.

Ummi Homeshools Me!!

i just discovered this thanks to sis Proud2bMuslim and immediately fancy it the more i read it the more it got me smiling and enjoying at what they are doing together. inshaAllah i plan to pursue this path too. cant imagine my children going thru what i went thru for education sigh.

[onetinywish]

Assalamu alaikum

My children are attending an Islamic primary school but i'm thinking about home schooling as I can tailor their learning according to their individual level and needs inshaallah.

ws

[Abd'Al-Muqtadir]

Asalamu Alaikum,
Indeed that is a great question, and being a teenager myself, I belive it is important to give the best education.
In my opinion, the best place to send a child is a Muslim School, if it is possible. One of my cousins, droped out, because he could not cope. Ukhtee, you should take care of how a child reacts to being away from their parents for a period of time. If they can not, it will be quite difficult for them to stay at a muslim school, Allah Willing. Remember, at a young age, you must get the rememberance and importance of Allah into the child, or else, when they grow up they would be, unaware of the importance of Al- Islam.

Also, if you send a child by force into a muslim school, it would be quite difficult for them to cope. There are major factors that would negate them from staying there. Such as home sickness and so on. It would be best if you send them to a local muslim school if possible, by your house or by your city.

Now let us discuss the endless benfits of doing this. I can say from forehand, if you go to a mainstream school, there will be an abundance of haram being shown to the child. Such as music, mixing of males and females and so on. Also, the Dhikr and importance of Al- Islam will not appear to the child, and therefore the child may go astray later in life, Allah forbid. Now if the child goes to an Islamic school, there will be the possibilites of Memorising the Quran, doing an 'Alim course, or both, and also doing elements of the national subjects, so basically getting the good of this world, and the Akriah!

Yet, there are limitaions. Such as the costs. However, recently my Islamic teacher said to me, that he would recommend any child, to go. The only thing that stops a child from staying is the cursed devil. It will be hard. However if you raise the child well, to be fearful of Allah, then there should not be any problems. Remeber, if you raise a great child, that is fearful of Allah, he/she can make Dua'a after you have died, for your forgivness and reward. Imagine that.

In conclusion, I have seen what a mainstream school does to an individual. Many can get peer preassure, which will lead them, Allah forbid, to Alcohol and drugs and smoking. As a parent, know one would want this. I have seen this with my eyes, and I can not do anything, but make Dua'a to Allah. It is hard being a teenager in a school, where Haram spreads faster than halal. Also remeber, if your son becomes a great sheikh, imagine the amount of people he can bring to the truth! Imagine the reward! Therefore, make every single effort for a child to attend an Islamic school Ukhtee once the time comes Insha'Allah. Do not waste a generation, as time is very valuable. Also we need sheikhs in this time, where the day of judgment is near.

Walaikum Asalam.

[onetinywish]

My question is to parents who send their children to Islamic schools and are HAPPY with both the Islamic and secular education offered, especially if the school supports learning within one of the four madhabs. Most parents I know complain about Islamic schools. My kids attend one and I'm not too happy - what makes your school successful?

I really want my kids to learn ilm - oh yes, the ideal would be for my son to do an alim course and complete university studies and be a doctor, engineer, architect

I can't think that far ahead but am interested in hearing other views and experiences. Do you know other parents who have been able to give their children a sound education, both Islamic and secular?

Have to stop here, sorry if sound waffly, my daughter's having a tantrum,

ws