– Sadat Hussain
New Delhi, Aug 30: Markazi Taleemi Board (MTB) of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) launched a three-month long hybrid (online and offline) Master Trainers’ Workshop on August 28. The workshop aims to empower and enhance the educational institutions affiliated to JIH and prepare resource persons to train teachers, management, principals, and non-teaching staff. This launching program, held online, commenced with the recitation of some Qur’ānic verses by Maulana Ashfaq Nadvi of FMEII followed by the welcome address by MTB Secretary Syed Tanveer Ahmed.
The MTB Secretary stated that the “objective of the workshop is to prepare around 50 resource persons to specialize in specific areas of education, so that these resource persons can go to their regions and fulfil the requirements of teachers. At present, the first priority for MTB is to train the teachers. During the previous term of JIH, MTB used to have online teachers’ training but this time there has been a demand for physical teacher training.”
He also said, “Indeed, the government has teacher training facilities but it has been observed that they are not able to fully implement teachers training schemes due to various reasons.”
With these words he welcomed all the participants and guests.
JIH Ameer Syed Sadatullah Husaini, in his inaugural address, “Teaching is a revolutionary work and through students, teachers should be able to bring about change in society.”
He elaborated that there are two types of teaching: transactional teaching and transformational teaching. Further he explained: “Transactional teaching is a mechanical process where teachers communicate the knowledge and information and receive salary. Transformational teaching is such a teaching which leads students towards the revolution in their thoughts, skills, emotions and character.”
He emphasized that the purpose of teacher training should be to equip the teachers with skills to face upcoming challenges and to adjust in the changing dynamics of education. In a time when students are well familiar with ChatGPT and other AI tools, teachers should go above and beyond and offer what AI cannot do.
He also advised: “Teachers should impart five Cs among their students: Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration and Character. These skills are known as 21st century skills. So, the objective of our training workshops should be to equip the teachers to impart five Cs in their students.”
He also emphasized: “Our teachers should be able to provide such an Islamic atmosphere where the students can nurture their character. In a situation where the children are learning within a materialistic framework of knowledge, a teacher should play a role of philosopher and guide for their students. Teachers should be able to present the true worldview before the students and they should be able to present the vision of Islam before their students. Secondly, they should be able to transform the lives of their students as per the guidance of Islam. Thirdly, synchronization of pedagogy with the changing needs of classroom and education.”
Sadat Hussain (Co-Ordinator, MTB) explained the course structure, process, groups and timeline of the three-month workshop before the participants.
In the end, Professor Mohammed Saleem Engineer (Chairman, MTB), who presided over the session, said, “Islamic education is not only about the transfer of knowledge and imparting of skills but it is also about nurturing good character.”
He added that our educational institutions should present the Islamic idea of education before the society along with developing scientific temper among the children. Further, we should follow the integrated and holistic approach to education.
[The writer is Coordinator Markazi Taleemi Board]
