Primary and Secondary EducationIslam spans a wide geographical range, so for simplicity's sake, we will focus simply on Saudi Arabia's education system as an example. Elementary schooling lasts for approximately 5 to 6 years before moving on. The elementary method of instruction utilized in maktabs today promotes literacy as the most important.
Elementary school instruction takes place in a building known as a maktab. These are not unlike madrasas, they are also built off of mosques. Education is primarily focused upon learning how to read and recite the Quran. There is a heavy emphasis on memorization of large amounts of information. These places are not always glamorous and instructors often have other religious duties that may distract them from teaching on a regular basis (Maktab). Past this point they move to an intermediate school level to prepare for secondary school. This lasts for approximately 3 years. Curriculum is the same for all schools at this level until they later move on to a secondary school where subjects become more specialized. There are three kinds of secondary school, religious, general, and technical (Sedgwick, R.). Attending religious secondary school prepares students to be religious leaders. In a general education secondary school, there are two branches to pursue; literary and scientific. In technical school, one can pursue agriculture, commercial or vocational skills (Sedgwick, R.). |
Higher EducationIn the Golden Age of Islam, there were more works of literature created whose knowledge has been passed on than in the entirety of Greek history. With such volumes of knowledge it comes to no surprise that there would have been institutions devoted to the teaching and development of this knowledge. In fact, the first university to develop the concept and process of granting degrees was an Islamic university named Al Karaouine. It set a standard that is still adhered to today. Unfortunately, when the Mongols attacked and sacked Baghdad, it not only set back the Islamic knowledge powerhouse, but completely destroyed progress for many, many years. Today, these institutions are growing and developing but slowly. No Islamic university has yet been ranked in the top 100 Ranking Universities of the World and literacy rates are low. There is a low amount of funding from the Islamic state toward improving education (Brookner, S.). Like earlier forms of schooling, higher education has different specialized areas. They have similar 4 year degree programs like western education systems. Four years earns a bachelor's degree, an additional two years earns a masters, and a doctorate is an additional three years on top of that (Sedgwick, R.) |
Text:
- Brookner, S. (2012, October 12). The Golden Age of Islam. Retrieved December 3, 2015, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sasha-brookner/the-golden-age-of-islam_b_1941608.html
- Maktab | Islam. (n.d.). Retrieved December 3, 2015, from http://www.britannica.com/topic/maktab
- Sedgwick, R. (2001, November 1). Education in Saudi Arabia - WENR. Retrieved December 3, 2015, from http://wenr.wes.org/2001/11/wenr-nov-dec-2001-education-in-saudi-arabia/
Images:
- Levels of Education Header - 2008+ - https://flic.kr/p/dHQQBK - Used with (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
- Primary Education - Meena Kadri - https://flic.kr/p/7EP4HU - Used with (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
- Higher Education - brewbooks - https://flic.kr/p/nHW2bN - Used with (CC BY-SA 2.0)
- Brookner, S. (2012, October 12). The Golden Age of Islam. Retrieved December 3, 2015, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sasha-brookner/the-golden-age-of-islam_b_1941608.html
- Maktab | Islam. (n.d.). Retrieved December 3, 2015, from http://www.britannica.com/topic/maktab
- Sedgwick, R. (2001, November 1). Education in Saudi Arabia - WENR. Retrieved December 3, 2015, from http://wenr.wes.org/2001/11/wenr-nov-dec-2001-education-in-saudi-arabia/
Images:
- Levels of Education Header - 2008+ - https://flic.kr/p/dHQQBK - Used with (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
- Primary Education - Meena Kadri - https://flic.kr/p/7EP4HU - Used with (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
- Higher Education - brewbooks - https://flic.kr/p/nHW2bN - Used with (CC BY-SA 2.0)