"..in
1824 when Government decided to start a Sanskrit College in Calcutta, the Hindu
leaders met under the leadership of Raja Ram Mohan Roy and demanded that they
did not want Sanskrit College to be established by Government but wanted that
it should start English colleges as far as possible. On the other hand in 1835,
after 11 years when the Mohammedans came to know that Government intends to
start English teaching in all schools, they submitted an application signed by
8000 Moulvis of Calcutta to stop it. Muslims vehemently opposed the new system
of education believing that the philosophy and logic taught in English was at
variance with the tenets of Islam. They looked upon the study of English as
little less than embracing of Christianity." [quoted from the above source]
Is this not the mindset still prevalent in some pockets that sends children to
Madarsas even when alternative options exist? Here is a personal experience: Noticing
that a lot of children living around our MUSKAAN Park, have no facility for
tuition, and are very weak in their studies, we started free 2-hr tuition
classes in maths, science and English for classes VII, VIII and IX at the Park an
hour after they finish their morning schools, from 2-4PM. The attendance
despite a competent Muslim teacher doing her best remained poor. When checked
we found the reason: they were going to madarsas for Quranic lessons after the
school. [After this they obviously wanted to play] Laudable this may be, but
these kids of VIII and IX standard studying in schools devoid of government patronage
are so pathetic at knowledge that they can't even write their address in
Gujarati! Many are sure to fail at Board exam in SSC and drop out, only to take
up driving, plumbing, welding et al. It all boils down to priorities, and recognition
of realities. I wish to say no more. You say.
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