NGOs can play critical role in empowering Muslims in education – By Syed Tanveer Ahmed (Secretary, MTB)

Syed Tanveer Ahmed, Secretary of the Markazi Taleemi Board (MTB) and the Federation of Muslim Educational Institutions of India (FMEI), recently emphasized the pivotal role that Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) can play in empowering Muslims in the realm of education. His insights and recommendations underscore the need for a multifaceted approach to address the challenges faced by Muslim students and educational institutions in India. Here’s a breakdown of his key points:

Financial Assistance to Poor Students: Proposes the establishment of district-level NGOs to collect Zakat and charity funds, ensuring efficient allocation for scholarships to deserving candidates.

Increasing Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER): Calls for NGOs to raise awareness and provide guidance to boost the enrollment rate of Muslim students in higher education, which currently stands at 4.49%.

Career Guidance and Counseling: Advocates for NGOs to address the lack of career awareness among Muslim students by conducting psychometric tests and providing guidance toward preferred fields of study.

Community-Based Organizations: Encourages the formation of community-based organizations akin to Teach for India, where volunteers can support schools and students, particularly in subjects like Mathematics, Science, and English.

Academic Intensive Care Units (AICUs): Suggests the establishment of AICUs focusing on English language and Mathematics to tackle the issue of dropouts among Muslim students.

Support for Government-Run Schools: Calls upon NGOs to assist government-run schools in Muslim-dominated areas and establish social enterprises to aid financially struggling educational institutions.

Policy Intervention and Advocacy: Highlights the role of NGOs in policy intervention, advice, and response, particularly concerning the upliftment of minority communities in the education sector.

Research and Surveys: Recommends that NGOs conduct surveys, studies, and observations to inform government policies aimed at improving education for Muslims.

Holistic Approach to Education: Advocates for NGOs to implement a holistic approach to education aligned with UNO’s proposals for citizenship training and achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Teacher Training and Coaching Centers: Calls for NGOs to train teachers, establish coaching centers for competitive examinations, and promote art, culture, and traditions related to Muslim minorities.

Collaboration with Waqf Board: Suggests collaboration with the Waqf board to effectively utilize Waqf properties and funds for educational purposes.

Address Legal and Constitutional Aspects: Urges state-level NGOs to address legal and constitutional aspects related to education.

By addressing these areas, Syed Tanveer Ahmed highlights the potential for NGOs to contribute significantly to the empowerment of Muslims in education and calls for collaborative efforts to uplift the community collectively.

Also published in: https://jamaateislamihind.org/eng/ngos-can-play-critical-role-in-empowering-muslims-in-education-syed-tanveer-ahmed-secretary-markazi-taleemi-board/