A: I was looking at my niece’s books from school and I was appalled to see that five year olds are forced to do such advanced comprehensions and math problems! It’s too much pressure on young children.
S: The education system is tailored according to the IQ levels of children in this technologically advanced day and age. Tiny kids can operate the iPad or smartphones before they can speak, so it’s perhaps a good thing that they are challenged more at an early age.
A: Did you know that our deen is not in favor of children learning any formal education or even pray namaz before seven years of age? There has to be some sort of wisdom in that.
S: There are many things that have evolved since that time. Education surely has to be one of them. We have to equip children to cope with the competitive world.
A: I knew you’d say that. What about the Harvard study that children should not be given formal education before age seven? Only play based learning is okay and that too to build communication and interaction skills with other children their own age.
S: Well I don’t have kids yet so I honestly don’t have a definitive opinion about how they should be educated.
A: I figured you’d say that. Your kids, my kids, what does it matter? All kids should have access to the same system and level of education don’t you think?
S: I’d have to agree with you on that one. So now would you like to argue to do away with madrassas now? Or do we all need to be enrolled in one?