Click to go to the Main Page

The Malabaris and Education

 Islam has since the beginning stressed the importance of education. Rasulullah s.a.w.  has told us time and again the importance of good education. We have heard how the prophet released prisoners of war  if they can teach ten Muslims to read and write. He stressed  that seeking knowledge is compulsory upon every Muslim, man and woman. He also  told the Sahabahs of the time to go even  up to China to seek knowledge,  a very long distance to travel indeed. The impact these statements had on the future  generations  alone proves the significance of education. In the year 700 AD, Islam and the Arabic language were on the move. Soon their influence stretched from India to Spain. Europe by then was entering its Dark Ages, nursing its dwindling links to a dead Roman culture. Arabic scholarship, science and invention surpassed Europe in every way.  Arabic language itself  became as essential as English is today.

 The challenges in  education is changing almost every day. Seeking education today is as competitive as any  field imaginable. Children today, even at kindergarten level are being sent for tuitions. This goes to show how much the parents believe in  the importance of education. With the face of meritocracy in education  changing even as this article is being written, it is difficult to imagine to what extend a person has to excel to secure a place in our higher education system.

The quota system which has been around for some time,  helped many  to pursue higher education in an effective way reduce poverty and narrow down the financial imbalance.  Where do the  Malabaris fall in this quota system. An analyst, Hanapi Dollah, in his Malay article "Politik dan Budaya India Muslim di Pulau Pinang: Satu Persoalan Teoritis Ethnisiti" expresses this in his  words. He says: "Perkelompokan dan identiti orang India Muslim berubah daripada India Muslim kepada India apabila mereka menyertai MIC dan menjadi India Muslim semula apabila mereka menubuhkan KIMMA dan akhirnya berubah lagi menjadi Melayu apabila mereka menyertai UMNO". Though, many of the Malabaris have made the best out of this statement, some of them are this in a limbo, searching an identity for themselves and in the process losing out on the benefits from every corner.

 The cost of higher education is also on a rising trend. The effect of sprouting of costly private schools is  going to set apart the  well-to-do from  the rest even from the primary level of education . With the corporatisation of the tertiary education system, it would seem more difficult for a middle-class family  to support their children through tertiary education, without an external aid. In fact, without  scholarship, it would be almost impossible for such a person raise enough money to study abroad.

How can we as a community  help the its members to excel in their educational field. If meritocracy is fully implemented, how would we fare  in the educational field in the years to come? The Malabaris originate from the only state in India  that has now achieved 100% literacy rate. There is no genetic barrier that would prevent us from being the cream among the best. How then could we tap the inherent ability to the achieve higher education. How do we solve the financial constraints that is holding some of the students from achieving their best. How can we best tap the available resources to achieve this aim.

We would to know your opinion on these issues. Write to us at the e-mail:  webmaster@e-malabari.net

webmaster

 

 

Other related News

Links- based on relevence