Arabic school

Here is a post which might be of interest to many of you. It is the 'kids' arabic school update post.' :)

We made the decision to put Ibrahim and Asma in an all arabic school before last summer. The decision was not an easy one, and was also made after much research, discussion, du'a and istikharah.

The kids started school the second week of September, so it has been about two months now.

Alhamdulillah, I can say that I am glad we made this decision. The amount of arabic they are learning at the school does not compare to what they would have learned at home with just a tutor.

Since Asma is in kindergarten still, she is not picking up as much as Ibrahim, who is in grade one. I am surprised at his advancement in writing, reading, understanding and even speaking mashaAllah.

I have also been picking up quite a bit, since all of the notices, newsletters, etc. they bring home from school are in arabic.

Of course, this doesn't mean that there have been zero problems. With Ibrahim and Asma also taking the bus to school, it complicates things more.

One of our greatest concerns was the fear of prejudice towards our children, since they are not Qatari. Alhamdulillah, we have not had any of that, mainly because their school is a private school and there are many nationalities represented, not just Qatari. In Asma's class I noted Jordanian, Lebanese and Sudanese. Ibrahim has two other 'desi' kids in his class as well.

Another concern was the fact that the kids would be lost. Alhamdulillah, in the beginning, it was a difficult adjustment, but we were thankful that they had at least picked up some basic arabic through their tutor and living in Jordan. They weren't speaking too much in the beginning, but now they try to speak more and understand the majority of what is being said, alhamdulillah.

Lastly, there was the concern of the behaviour. Yes, the kids at the school are rough! Especially at Ibrahim's school, since they are boys. Our stand is that as long as they not doing anything to hurt our son, let them be rough, it seems to be the norm. :) The major problem with Ibrahim, is that he can't figure out WHY they behave in such a manner if they are all Muslim. This gives us the opportunity to explain to him that amongst every people, there are good and bad. We try to encourage him to stick with those who will remind him to be good as well. At this point, I think he has learned the lesson and is also able to distinguish between the kids versus the learning.

Ibrahim in particular has had a couple of incidents (mostly on the bus) of kids being rough with him. He is usually able to take action against them by telling the 'man on the bus.' (Yes, there is an adult on the bus, other than the bus driver, who is there to make sure things don't get out of control). One time Ovaise spoke with the bus driver, etc. as well. We also feel safe knowing that Ibrahim's teacher (and tutor) is always looking out for him.

So, in short, yes, there have been some incidents, but they are no different than what the kids would go through at any school, in my opinion.

The best thing about putting them in an all arabic school (besides the speed of them picking up the language of course), is that it is an Islamic school. I know of many parents in Doha, whose kids are in a Canadian/American/British school, but the school is lacking Quran and Islamic studies. I feel good that they will learn Quran, tafseer, hadith, etc. and be with other kids and teachers who are all Muslim. I just recently received a letter from both of their schools regarding a Quran competition. Plus, every week they have a new surah, hadith and nasheed that they learn, so alhamdulillah for all of that.

The only downfall is that the english component is completely lacking at the school. However, this is something we knew in advance and thus, prepared for it. Since school starts early here (7:00-7:30 am), the kids are back early as well, so this gives me time to do english, etc. with them at home. It does get busy with the arabic school, homeschooling, tutor, homework, Quran review, etc., but alhamdulillah they are enjoying it and are on a good schedule. On the weekends we go out and they have time to do other things.

Certainly, our children's education is important to us, as it is to all parents. We pray that their education is a means of success for them in this life, but more importantly, in the hereafter! Ameen.