The World Federation of KSIMC

In November 2014, the first version of the Teaching Skills Development Programme was developed by MCE after going through a long process of consultations, brainstorming sessions and meetings with teachers, trainers, religious scholars and training institutions. This programme paved the way for ‘live’ two-day programmes from January 2015 for madrasah teachers in Europe and Africa. 

The key facilitator of the programme is Sayyid Ali Naqvi who has completed his Cert Ed (PTTLS, DTTLS and CTTLS) and has now enrolled in a Master's in Education.  Together with his supervisor and other experts, he has designed this course.  

The modules covered in the programme are:

• Why teach?
• Role and responsibility of a madrasah teacher
• Planning and planning skills
• Inclusive learning
• Assessment
• Reflective practice and personal journal
• Microteaching

The two-day programme was beta tested in Milton Keynes on 28th-30th November. Amongst the 27 participants, there were madrasah teachers, professional teachers in secular education, observers and teacher trainers from within and outside our community. On the third day, the participants were split into groups. Each group was shown video clips of one of the sessions and their task was to provide constructive feedback to Sayyid Ali. The 2-hour feedback session was immensely useful in taking the programme to a higher level.

Some of the feedback received from the participants for the whole programme was as follows:

• To what extent do you disagree or agree with the following statement:

‘This programme has given me the opportunity to challenge myself as a teacher and explore new ways of thinking about my Madrasah teaching in the future’. 

45% strongly agreed, 45% agreed and 10% neutral

• Comments on what made the modules helpful or unhelpful:

‘Activities consolidated objectives’

‘Confused in some lessons’

‘The majority of tasks were well-focused and achieved their aims. A few tasks like reflective practice were not carried through/completed’.

• Additional comments:

‘Having not come from professional teaching background I feel equipped to taking my teaching to the next level’.

‘Excellent with a bright future for our young people + also feel great being part of the discussion in ways to shape the future’.

‘For a first time programme, it was a very good performance once the observations are taken into account. I’m sure Sayyid Ali be a wonderful facilitator’.

‘I found this extremely helpful and inspiring. It has enabled personal growth and fuelled the vision for Madrasah’.