(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Qatar Charity (QC) has implemented a number of projects to help improve the condition of Qur'anic schools (khalwas) in Niger.
There are around 50,000 small khalwas in the country and these are in poor condition.
In this context, QC has focused its attention on improving such places through its office in Niamey, the capital of Niger.
The organisation has built classes, sponsored teachers and distributed copies of the Holy Qur'an. It has also built 169 Qur'an memorisation centres across the country, sponsored 12 imams, 34 Muslim preachers and four teachers and distributed more than 10,000 copies of the Holy Qur'an.
QC has called for the help of all well-wishers and benefactors to enhance the condition of the khalwas, sponsor the tutors and print more copies of the Holy Qur'an for students.
One of the major problems facing these khalwas is that they do not have classrooms, forcing students to gather under a big tree or a roofed shelter. This is why people usually stop going there and such conditions also make it hard for those who stay to understand and memorise what they are being taught.
Secondly, there is no real curriculum for teaching. Most of those who graduate do not memorise the Suras (chapters of the Holy Qur'an), the verses and the recitation rules well. Besides, they do not have Tafisr (interpretation of the Holy Qur'an) books to help them understand or learn what the Qur'an says.
Another key concern is that most tutors are themselves in need of training to enhance their skills and potentials. The students need professional teachers.
The khalwas require a lot of money to build classes, have copies of the Holy Qur'an as well as basic books pertaining to recitation, commentaries and language. They also need someone to sponsor the teachers and most of them leave their position to find a better source of income.
Further, the khalwas need someone to offer scholarships to brilliant students and organise memorisation competitions. They need all the means possible to encourage people to learn and memorise the Holy Qur'an.
QC, through its field office in Niger, has implemented several projects to address the educational and cultural concerns. Upon the request of families, and after receiving approval from the authorities, QC built 56 mosques that helped families perform their religious rituals.
In co-ordination with the Ministry of Education in Niger, QC built classes in a region that lacks 59% of classes. The students used to meet in schools made of straw, which did not protect them from rain or storms. Such places were also hindering the process of teaching, resulting in dropouts.
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