Special directive to stop student abuse in Qawmi madrasas, affiliation to be cancelled for non-compliance

A special directive has been issued to prevent the abuse and mistreatment of students in Qawmi madrasas. The directive makes clear that any institution failing to comply will have its affiliation cancelled — one of the toughest positions yet taken to ensure student safety.

The central aim of the directive is to stop all forms of abuse and mistreatment of students on madrasa premises. Protecting the physical and mental safety of students who live and study in a residential environment sits at the heart of the initiative.

The sternest element is the announced punishment. Institutions that violate the directive have been warned that their affiliation will be cancelled, meaning a rule-breaking madrasa could lose its recognised status altogether.

Affiliation is critically important for a madrasa, because the formal recognition of its educational activities depends on it. With that recognition now at risk, the directive is expected to put considerable pressure on institutions to comply.

Large numbers of students study at Qawmi madrasas while living in residential facilities. Many of them are young and stay far from their families. Ensuring a safe environment for them is therefore regarded as a fundamental responsibility of the institution's authorities.

Parents have long been concerned about allegations of student abuse. Demands have repeatedly been raised for an environment in which no student faces fear or mistreatment. The new directive arrives against that backdrop of concern.

Under the directive, every madrasa must effectively ensure an abuse-free environment within its own institution. Rules existing only on paper will not be enough; the real question now is whether they are enforced in practice.

A channel for students to lodge complaints, and a system for taking those complaints seriously, are basic conditions of a safe institution. Following the directive, institutions will also have to pay attention to such internal arrangements.

The decision increases the responsibility of madrasa governing bodies and teachers alike. Everyone will have to remain alert so that no excessive harshness or mistreatment occurs in the name of discipline.

It remains to be seen how strictly the directive is implemented on the ground. If a punishment as severe as cancellation of affiliation is actually applied, it will send a strong message across the entire sector.