The Syllabi of Arabic Colleges in the Digital Age

Abstract

The primary objective of this article is to evaluate the contents, syllabus, and teaching pedagogies of the Arabic college in the digital age. This is, indeed, a broader topic and this may need volumes of writing to explore all aspects of this topic extensively from different perspectives. Dramatic changes are taking place in the fields of education. Educationalists, academics, pedologists and experts in different fields of education are coming up with different theories on education. Religious Education too undergoes different changes in teaching and learning pedagogies. Moreover, new teaching methods and resources are being added to religious education. Despite all this changes, Arabic college education remains in its rudimentary stage in some sectors of Muslim communities. It can be hypothetically argued that the religious texts are static and limited. Therefore, what kind of new teaching pedagogies can be introduced in RE teaching in Islam.? what kind of new contents or themes can be added into RE teaching in Islam? These are some genuine questions to ask. Islam is a divinely revealed religion and no one has the right to add or omit anything from religion of Islam. Therefore, all what Muslim school teachers in Islamic lesson to do is to interpret, elaborate, comment, explain and infer the meanings of religious texts in Islam. Such a contention is partially right. Some Islamic texts are static in theological, and legal aspects of Islam. Yet, most Islamic texts are subject to human interpretation, rationalization, and human reasoning. Although some religious texts static, human life is not static. Human life revolves with changing social contexts. Muslim clerics must be educated to relate their knowledge to the digital world. Syllabus updates, upgrading teaching pedagogies, enriching teaching resources, and training of teaching staff are needed to revolutionize Arabic college education. This paper is an attempt to underscore the significance of reforming education in Arabic colleges. This paper is divided into 5 areas. a) The first part of this paper highlights the significance of syllabus updates, b) The second part evaluates teaching pedagogies, c) The third part assesses student enrolment d) The fourth part highlights the financial and administrative challenges of Arabic colleges. e) The final part of this paper makes some recommendations to update Arabic colleges.