Despite the inclusion of Quran education in the curriculum of all government schools in Punjab, including Rawalpindi division, a staggering 48,504 educational institutions across the province still face a shortage of Quran teachers.
As a result, teachers of Islamic Studies are being compelled to conduct additional Quran classes in these schools.
Since Quran education was made a compulsory subject in 2021, no Quran teachers have been appointed to these institutions. This year, for the first time, nine boards in Punjab introduced a compulsory Quran Translation paper for grade IX students.
Additionally, schools have been conducting Nazra Quran exams for students from classes one to eight.
According to the education department, back in 1978, 179 Quran teachers were appointed in various schools across Punjab. Presently, only 26 of those Quran teachers are still in service. In 1984, Quran teachers were upgraded to grade 7 alongside primary school teachers, but those in-service Quran teachers in Punjab have been waiting for promotions and upgrades for the past 40 years.
Teachers, responsible for imparting basic Quran learning, Tajveed (pronunciation), and Qirat (recitation) to students, are also facing financial difficulties.
It is important to note that, as per the Punjab Curriculum and Text Book Board's notification, the teaching of the Quran from classes one to five and Quran translation from classes six to 12 has been declared compulsory in all government schools.
Presently, Punjab is home to 32,360 primary schools, 7,218 elementary schools, 8,088 high schools, and 838 higher secondary schools.
On the other hand, Punjab SES Teacher's Association Central Secretary-General M Shafiq Bhalwalia has demanded immediate action, including the promotion of existing Quran teachers and the swift appointment of new ones. Nearly 40,000 Quran teacher positions in Punjab remain vacant.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 10th, 2023.
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