Classes begin tomorrow for over 2,800 madrasa students

(Patria) - On Friday, September 1, 2023, classes begin in most madrasas of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will be attended by over 2,800 students next school year.

Despite negative trends and processes, such as depopulation, the noticeable departure of young people from BiH, and some other factors, madrasas, characterized by their boarding school type of education, record an increasing number of candidates for enrollment in the first grade year after year.

“Based on analyses of relevant factors, it seems that madrasas demonstrate a commendable ability to attract new students, despite the generally challenging environment and various factors influencing it,” said Mr. Dževad Pleh, director of Gazi Husrev-beg Madrasa in Sarajevo, the oldest educational institution in our country, for MINA Agency, emphasizing that they are ready for the start of the new school year and eagerly await their male and female students.

Director Pleh pointed out that parents are increasingly aware of the importance of a safe and stimulating environment for student development. In addition, madrasas demonstrate the refined quality of their educational program, which, in addition to providing the best education, also encompasses the most beautiful upbringing of their students.

“The universal values they teach, centuries-old tradition, historical reputation and high status, extraordinary experience, and professional and expert teaching and upbringing staff they possess, make madrasas, in the eyes of parents and students, as well as society, schools that, in addition to meeting standard educational needs, also offer a deeper spiritual and moral aspect of student development and enrichment,” explained Director Pleh.

He emphasized that madrasas undoubtedly possess the credibility of traditional centers of knowledge and learning, which certainly contributes to their reputation as institutions that ensure a consistently high standard of upbringing and education.

“Thus, madrasas strongly promote the values of social responsibility and common good, which strongly attracts all those who are oriented towards building morally aware and ethically empowered individuals. These and other factors and components deepen the relevance of madrasas in contemporary society, making them a preferred choice for education,” said Director Pleh.

According to him, madrasas provide education that simultaneously meets educational needs and deeper spiritual aspirations, and offer a carefully designed curriculum based on many years of experience and tradition, as well as on the professional and contemporary approach of experts who worked on its development.

He also assessed that the premises, technical, and general material conditions that madrasas provide, along with continuous investments in infrastructure, further solidify the decision of parents and students to continue their secondary education in these schools.

With the start of the new school year, the Banja Luka Madrasa “Reis Ibrahim-ef. Maglajlić,” incidentally the youngest madrasa in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is operating at full capacity, with four mixed classes and, for the first time, thanks to the Riyaset of the Islamic Community in BiH, has separate accommodation for female and male students. Preparations and activities for the start of the new school year are proceeding according to plan.

“The madrasa is open for the needs of children and parents from the RS entity, as a result of the thoughtful consideration and care of the Riyaset and the reis-ul-ulema for the returnee population. Education is free, which is very important for parents and returning students, making the choice easier when enrolling in schools,” said Mr. Muris Spahić, director of the Banja Luka madrasa, for MINA Agency.

Director Spahić emphasized that it is easier for parents to decide to entrust their child to an institution where their child will receive the necessary attention and where someone will care for them 24 hours a day.

“In addition, they will have an organized way of life throughout the week. Madrasas, in addition to acquiring knowledge and skills necessary for life, also offer relaxing activities through excursions, trips, socializing, and getting to know students from other madrasas, thus broadening their horizons to the wider space of our homeland and beyond,” emphasized Spahić.

Graduates of madrasas have the doors of many universities open to them both in Bosnia and Herzegovina and around the world after completing their education.

“We are always pleased by the fact that our students enroll in various faculties at home and abroad. Our alumni are found on almost all continents of the world. Of course, their future choices and continuation of education are conditioned by many factors, primarily their interests, ambitions, opportunities, and personal life goals.

In general, madrasa graduates and alumni have no difficulty enrolling in studies in various fields. This, in itself, is sufficient proof of the strong foundation and excellence that madrasas provide,” concluded the director of Gazi Husrev-beg Madrasa, Mr. Dževad Pleh.