SARACENIC EDUCATION
Saracenic education aims for the search of knowledge and an application of scientific facts to the affairs of daily life. Science was studied for its usefulness in arts and crafts. Reading was studied as a necessity for progress. Medicine was stressed for the preservation of life. Astronomy was studied as an aid to geography and navigation.
It also aims for the development of an individual initiative and social welfare as well as liberal education in its truest sense. It begins with religious education and memorization of the Qur’an/Koran with a simple religion emphasizing a high degree of tolerance with the faith. There is no hierarchy and there is a very little need for much education, except for those training to be teachers of divinity or philosophy.
Saracenic education was universal and not democratic. Elementary education was open to all boys and girls. Vocational education was stressed. Intellectual training in the sciences was the basis for the professions. Higher education was open to rich and poor yet wealthy had some advantages. Financial aid was provided to needy students.
It has the most complete and most carefully organized curriculum in the elementary, secondary and higher levels. Elementary schools were set up where needed and the universities and libraries were the models for the best in Europe.
Subject matter in elementary includes reading, writing, arithmetic, religion, grammar and science. Higher level subjects include algebra, geometry, trigonometry, physics, chemistry, geography, astronomy, anatomy, pharmacy, medicine, surgery, philology, history, literature, logic, metaphysics and law. Koran was taught at all levels.
Early Caliphs were instrumental in the founding of elementary schools, academies, universities and libraries in their domains. They were resident scholars themselves and they were surrounded with the most learned men, Each mosque established an elementary school. Rich Moslems donated universities and libraries were available to all.
Western world is indebted to them for the creation of the scientific spirit of investigation, experimentation, for the invention and improvement of the tools of science.
Looking at Philippine contemporary education, students starting from the junior and senior high school work on their research papers in attempts to solve different issues inside and outside the four walls of their classrooms. Public and private elementary and secondary teachers are also asked by the Department of Education to make action researches in order to identify and solve some challenges that they encounter in their day to day teachings: students, curriculum, resources, subject matter, learning environment etc. Students in college, masters and doctoral degree program also work on their thesis in order to determine and remedy some problems within the campus and the community.
Reading has been one of the top priorities for improvement because it has been a sad reality that pupils in the elementary graduate even if they do not even know how to read and maybe it is due to the so called mass promotion that continues in the secondary schools. Teachers conduct remedial classes yet there are sill others who are left behind although we have the so called EFA goal “ education for all.”
This is so true especially in the far flung areas where students cannot attend classes for they are engage in child labor for they lack financial and moral support from their parents. Even if remedial class is conducted, most of them are focused in providing for their own families.
Some teachers and other concern stakeholders help some students in their financial needs as well as academic needs yet there are still others who are force to stop due to other serious matters that they are facing both at home and in school.
In this case, the presence of The Sisters Of Mary is really a great help because students from very poor families should only pass the entrance examination and an interview conducted by the nuns and they can fully enjoy a free education in this institution.
This institution has seven storey buildings with classrooms and dormitories, hospital and clinic, bakery, workshops, huge library, gymnasiums, plenty of basketball and volleyball courts, ample of educational indoor toys. They do not have to work for their daily needs because everything from head to toe is given for free at The Sisters of Mary. They could live happily while pursuing their dreams with all their needs provided all day all night by the nuns who also provide them with spiritual guidance though the bible and Catechism.
With the past few years of continuous generosity of the nuns from the Sisters of Mary founded by Msgr. Father John Philip Aloysius Schwartz, there are already millions of students from the different campuses in the Philippines, Korea, Guatemala, Brazil and soon in Tanzania who found a decent job. I am grateful to be one of them.
Dean's 