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Kwale Madrasa teachers unite to address curriculum and salary challenges

Sheikh Juma Lomba, the Jumiya ya Madrasa za Kwale director, addresses the union meeting on Sunday, April 28, 2024. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)

By Mishi Gongo | 29 Apr 2024

Besides harmonising curricula, the teacher's salary needed to be reviewed, as many madrasa teachers work voluntarily.

Madrasa (Muslim schools) at Matuga Sub-County in Kwale County have resolved to unite under one umbrella to address challenges facing the institutions.

The union, Jumiya ya Madrasa za Kwale, seeks to create a common curriculum for all madrasas to curb extremist teachings and push for an increment in teacher salaries.

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Over 16 madrasas from different wards attended the launch at the modern Kwale Stadium, offering the union an opportunity to share its vision.

Speaking during the launch on Sunday, the union director, Sheikh Juma Lomba, said that Islamic institutions need to have a common curriculum to weed out extremists who influence students with radical teachings.

"We are here to revive the union and work together to ensure the well-being of the Islamic institutions. We need to have a common exam," Sheikh Juma said, emphasising that, currently, madrasas have different curricula.

Sheikh Juma added that besides harmonising curricula, the teacher's salary needed to be reviewed as most of the madrasa tutors in the region work voluntarily while others are paid meagerly.

"Madrasa teachers are poorly paid even though they play an important role in society by ensuring our children are morally upright. The association will work to ensure we set funds aside for teachers," he added.

Students from Darul Hikma perform during the launch of Jumiya ya Madrasa za Kwale union on Sunday, April 28, 2024

Many madrasa teachers in the country are also at the mercy of the parents’ board, and a few lucky ones receive salaries from Gulf donors.

Sheikh Juma said the union existed in 2008 but collapsed due to a lack of support. He, however, said that they are now confident that the union will thrive, with different organisations backing it up.

Parents were encouraged to enrol their children in Islamic institutions, as most children, according to Sheikh Juma, are going astray because they lack a religious background.

During the launch, over 20 best students from different grades were awarded, with 10 of them given certificates of completion. The function also recognised students who had achieved great strides in acquiring Islamic education.

Sheikh Juma added that the union has overseen about 100 students getting certificates to allow them to seek employment in religious institutions and also apply for scholarships.

In the future, it will recognise and award students who post excellent results in their exams and offer them scholarships to pursue further education abroad.

Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani, who was in attendance, said her government will offer maximum support to the union, adding that the move will wipe out quacks who are out to mislead children enrolled to study religious education.

CEC Water Services Hemedi Mwabudzo, county attorney Salim Gombeni, CEC Education Mishi Kaole, Golini Member of County Assembly (MCA) Omar Mwaboza, Sheikh Khamis Badru, and Kwale Health Chief Officer Athuman Mwashando also attended the launch.