AT-TAQWA BOYS SCHOOL A REFUTATION OF THE SISTER’S LAMENT
Recently The Majlis published a letter of a Sister who had criticized At-Taqwa Boys School of Durban. A Brother from Durban refuting her allegations, explains as follows:
“I wanted to discuss the article ‘At Taqwa’ boys school in Durban. The information provided to the Majlis in which the article was published seems to be misleading, false and created by some hater or fitna monger.
I would like to highlight a few so that you are made aware of such and in hope that it be published so that the people who read the article sees the truth and facts. I am not defending anyone but because my two sons are attending this school, and I have been going daily for 8 years , I have adequate knowledge of what’s the situation. And whatever I do find incorrect with the school I do bring it up to the principal at any time to rectify it .
Indeed there are mistakes and nobody is perfect and every organization has certain flaws . May Allah guide them all on a perfect path .
- The school is actually and primarily a madressa which teach add ons like math’s and English and Islamic Science. Nothing is the like of any normal school, even the subject of Science teaches agriculture and everything is linked to the attributes to Allah Ta’ala .
- The school uniform is not haraam. It’s a 5 piece topi , kurta and pants in beige colour (jalalabadi style).
I have always bought material and sent it for sewing, however over the years , the school took this responsibility and offers it as they benefit with bulk pricing and it makes the parents life easier as well as much cheaper than if we buy individually and send it to our tailors to sew . A further benefit and reason is also that the school does it and they ensure that no parent makes the mistake of sewing the pants below the ankles. However the school has not made it compulsory to buy it from them and parents still have an independent option.
- The fees are not high. Infact the fees are the lowest in Durban if not South Africa. And many many students are from foreign countries and are not pressured to pay. Infact they always have years of fees outstanding and the students are still benefitting from the school, unlike other schools where you will be barred from exams or not allowed to receive reports etc . The teaching continues as normal .
The fee structure is paid on normal fees as well as subsidiary. Whoever can afford can pay the normal amount which also is cheap. People who are actually wealthy even default on fees but it is known that the teaching doesn’t stop for their kids.
- The schools aim is tarbiyat of the children and everything is kept simple . They don’t allow children to bring juice or sodas or chocolates to school, only water is allowed to instill simplicity and maintain good health. No fashionable jackets or jerseys are even allowed so students cannot show off their wealth .
- For 8 years , I have not seen any muallima or apas on the balcony or anywhere. The school has two separate properties for which the baaligh boys are thought mmby ustaads and the junior boys on the other property is thought by apas. But you never see them . The school is actually 2 old houses converted into a madressa .
- They sit on the floor and learn as well .
- The principal is not out for money. Infact his salary is lesser than some of the ustaads . This is a clear sign that this is not due to wealth gains by himself. The school only takes on 10 to 15 boys per class, this is for quality and not quantity purposes. Even if we have to combine the fees from every student even if they pay in full , it will be a small amount to cover 1 ustaads wage to run a household.
- The swimming is made compulsory but no extra fees were added. No females allowed and satars are covered and is done on a Saturday so that father’s bring their kids. All precautions were taken and thought off.
- Sports days are mere exercises, no merry making or parties are involved. Infact even if you don’t attend , there is no compulsion.
The junior kids have running and skipping etc In an indoor facility.
The baaligh boys have it on a field and only father’s are allowed.
Care and concern of intermingling in the school is highly cautioned . No interaction across are made, the principal communicates to his wife who then is incharge of the apas.
The school does not beg for zakaat funds. Infact I haven’t come across any such calls from them for this. There are some well wishers who contribute lillah to shortfalls from time to time .
Yes, there is an elderly lady who drives the school transport in the Overport area. I know over the years the men have been wrecking the vehicles and even writing some off and I assume that this person is in dire need of a job and is more careful. But whether there is good or bad in it is debatable.
I trust this sheds some light on the matter published with incorrect information.
I write this without any knowledge or request from the school only with the intention of haq to prevail
Was salaam warahmatullah
22 Sha’baan 1446 – 21 February 2025