In general, among the public, including the educated, there is a commonly held belief that education is a sacred duty and turning it into a business is not commendable. Additionally, it is considered a profession of prophets, so firstly, there should be no substantial financial gain from it, and if there is any, it should be minimal and only to meet essential needs. The high fees charged by private educational institutions become a subject of criticism for this reason.
On the contrary, the reality is that the work of the prophets was to convey the message of God to people and provide them with religious education. Teaching scientific and social sciences, as well as vocational skills, was not the primary role of the prophets. For such fields of knowledge and arts, they also required assistance from others, and they would compensate those who provided help. Some of the non-Muslim prisoners captured in the Battle of Badr who knew reading and writing were employed to teach Muslim children, and this became a form of compensation for their release.
God’s messengers, who were freed from earning a livelihood due to their religious engagements, had the arrangement of their sustenance in the divine scheme. The one-fifth share of war booty and the “Fai” (the share of spoils acquired without direct fighting) were specifically designated for the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). He used this to cover the expenses of his household and provide for other needy members of society. In the case of the Children of Israel, Allah had ordained that the tribe of Levi would be responsible for the financial matters related to their religious affairs, demonstrating a social responsibility for the community. However, there was no divine arrangement for the common people’s livelihood. Therefore, there is no objection to receiving compensation for services in the teaching of religion, just as there is no disdain for compensation or business related to worldly matters. This is a fact rooted in truth and fairness.
Just as the provision of affordable and standardized travel facilities and healthcare is considered the responsibility of the modern state, similarly, the provision of affordable and quality education is also included in its responsibilities. However, in Pakistan, like many other developing countries, the state of public education is often overlooked. It has a low priority in government preferences. In such a situation, it is only natural that motivated and competent individuals from the private sector come forward to fill the gap in quality education, just as individuals in private sectors contribute to the fields of medicine and transportation. In these areas, private individuals, hospitals, and companies provide the necessary facilities on a private level and derive financial benefits from it.
For education, infrastructure is also required, just as it is needed for any other business. Building, rent, laboratories and sports equipment, utility bills, and above all, the salaries of teachers and other staff—all of these constitute a fair and justified compensation and benefit structure. Ensuring the quality of education in terms of fees is the responsibility of educational institutions, and parents have the right to hold them accountable. Therefore, it should be acknowledged that the business of education is indeed a legitimate business. Ensuring the educational standards in terms of fees is the responsibility of educational institutions, and parents have the right to demand accountability from them.
As the experience of a teacher increases in non-governmental educational institutions, the demand for their services also increases. In proportion to this, the demand for an increase in salary also becomes their right. Offering voluntary or selfless services is a matter of individual preference and inclination, which is found in only a few individuals. Demanding such selfless service from the general public is unwarranted. Ordinary people are bound by their needs and are driven by common inclinations. These common inclinations are what keep society functioning. If everyone adopted a selfless nature, society would be in disarray. Therefore, demanding selflessness should not be limited to teachers or private educational institutions’ owners alone.
It raises the question: Why demand selflessness only from teachers or owners of private educational institutions? This demand can be extended to any profession considered sacred, such as medicine and the judiciary. Doctors and judges are not expected to provide their services selflessly, just as teachers and owners of educational institutions should not be singled out for such expectations.
The expenses of educational institutions vary in each region and from every social class. The difference in classes is evident in various aspects of life, just as it is visible in restaurants, clothing brands, and so on. Similarly, the manifestation of this difference in different standards of education is entirely natural.
Until the standard of public education improves, it should be left to people’s means and preferences to decide what kind of education they want to provide to their children. The inability to provide quality education due to a lack of resources is regrettable, but the solution lies not in demanding selfless service from private educational institutions but in increasing resources and improving the standards of government schools.
References:
[1]. [You had asked; so] be informed that a fifth of whatever spoils of war you had acquired shall belong only to God, His Prophet, the near relatives [of the Prophet], the orphans, the needy and the wayfarer. [This is the directive of God; obey it without the slightest hesitation] if you believe in God and in that what We had sent down to Our servant on the day of verdict when both groups met, [and bear in mind that] God has power over all things. [2]. [For this reason,] whatever God returns from these town-dwellers to His Messenger shall remain specifically for God, the Messenger, the kinfolk, the orphan, the destitute and the traveller [13] so that it does not circulate only in the rich among you.[14] And [the status of the] Messenger [is such that] whatever he gives you, accept it, and whatever he forbids you, abstain from it. And keep fearing God. Indeed, God is stern in retribution.