In recent years, madrassahs and their education systems in many developing
countries - and specifically in Pakistan - have attracted much attention from
researchers and policymakers at the local and international level. The main
focus has been on the reform of madrassahs, their political activism and, more
specifically, studies which attempted to investigate their alleged links with
militancy. Moreover, madrassah education has been questioned for its
relevance to the contemporary needs of individuals and societies. However,
despite focusing on many dimensions of madrassahs, few studies have tried to
understand madrassah education within the economic, socio-religious and
cultural context of Pakistan. A number of publications have reached generalised
conclusions about the madrassah education system in Pakistan.
Inspired by this, and by adopting qualitative research methods, this study
focused on two main research questions:(a) Why do people prefer a madrassah
education and what type of factors shape their preference? (b) What are the
socio-economic impacts of a madrassah education on individuals and at
community level? Researcher conducted a field study of more than six months
in the Chach (Attock) region of Pakistan. Different students, parents, madrassah
teachers and key informants were interviewed to collect required informations.
The findings of the study revealed that different economic backgrounds,
parental religious interests, individuals¿ personal religious interests, and social
norms and cultural values shape preferences for a madrassah education.
Moreover, this study also revealed that there exist various socio-economic
impacts of a madrassah education on individuals and at community level.
However, a madrassah education has often caused conflict in communities.
The study shows that while a madrassah education creates barriers to
achieving modern skills and incomes, its social benefits are valuable for those
living within socio-cultural constraints in rural areas. Specifically, it enhances the
social status and agency of women. The study also shows that madrassah
education is an opportunity for those who otherwise would have no other option
to study. This study concludes that there is a need to re-think madrassah
education within the economic, social, cultural and religious context of Pakistan.
This study has practical implications for practitioners, madrassahs and
researchers, and it also suggests further research related to madrassah
education.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BRADFORD/oai:bradscholars.brad.ac.uk:10454/5659 |
| Date | January 2012 |
| Creators | Akhtar, Waheed |
| Contributors | Anand, Prathivadi B., Mdee (nee Toner), Anna L. |
| Publisher | University of Bradford, Bradford Centre for International Development |
| Source Sets | Bradford Scholars |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis, Doctoral, PhD |
| Rights | <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/3.0/88x31.png" /></a><br />The University of Bradford theses are licenced under a <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/">Creative Commons Licence</a>. |
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