Attitudinal Trends

English Language in Madrassas of Pakistan

Abstract

Historically, madrassas or religious seminaries have resisted reform efforts and have labeled them as part of western agenda of secularizing Islamic education. Currently, more than 13000 registered madrassas with a population of about 2 million students get education mainly in Arabic, Persian and local languages. English language teaching does not form a regular part of the traditional 8-year Dars-e-Nizami course. Based on the practical utility of English language and its importance in job market, the current qualitative study investigates attitudes of madrassa students and teachers towards English language. The findings are based on purposively selected 42 interviewees associated with madrassas in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The study reveals that a majority of students and teachers view English language in positive esteem and term it necessary for life in general and professional prosperity in particular. It also finds that a tiny section of religious community associate negative feelings with the language that are mostly motivated by orthodox sermons and speeches. The study concludes that state intervention is needed to introduce reforms with the support of religious elite.