There are many misconceptions lingering around Homeschooling since it's in infancy in Pakistan, though many families living in Pakistan have been Homeschooling in isolation here and there; it's just that they have not been in the mainstream.
Did you ever wonder how our ancestors used to study and complete education?
Yes, they were also homeschooled.
but since we are in the 21st century and the demands and tides about education are too high in this era, so, few people think that homeschooling our kids is akin to confining them in a cave, that's why I want to bring the story of Zunaira Qazi, who is khi based and has been homeschooled since childhood she didn't go to school ever yet she has just started her journey of in one of the renowned medical uni of Khi, named DOW.
we wish her the best of luck and do prayers for her success ahead.
let's discover her journey starting as a homeschooler and taking medicine as her higher education; so here are some of the questions she answered:
1. Tell us in detail how you got admission into DOW? What were the prerequisites? What is the step-by-step process of getting into medical university as a homeschooler? How do you take exams and other related details?
There's an
aggregate system that takes into account your matric, inter, and mdcat test.
Below is the percentage of each making up the aggregate.
Matric 10٪
Intermediate
40%
PMC MDCAT
50%
Then, this aggregate is what determines your merit no. and, there are 20 marks for hifz Quran. You have to give this test to get 20 marks added to your score.
There are
around 230 MBBS seats in Dow, 157 seats in Sindh medical college, and 100 in
KMDC.
Your merit
determines if
1. You get
into above 3 or a private medical institute
2. You get
admitted to MBBS OR BDS or Nursing/pharmacy, etc.
This was an overview of the selection process.
It is pretty much the same for homeschooled kids. There are no restrictions for homeschoolers.
2. Since when you are homeschooling, who guided and supported you throughout this journey?
My elder siblings are all graduates of Dow Medical College. They all were traditionally schooled at an elite private school in Karachi.
My parents
weren't satisfied with their schooling (both religiously and academically), and
despite the investment of time and money, my family still thinks it was a total
waste. They got positions in matric and inter-board, but shamefully, it is no
credit to the school. School deterred them from moving forward. There were a lot of
instances of inequalities and prejudices in their schooling; it will be off-topic so not delving into details. Back then, in the 90s, homeschooling wasn't
common, and options were very limited.
3. How did you benefit from your journey and what lessons did you learn?
My journey wasn't perfect; there was a lot of shakiness until I was able to get into Dow. There were so many days when my confidence was low. It's all Allah’s special mercy on me; otherwise, I don't find myself capable.
This is
human nature. When we struggle, we feel low, but once we are successful, we
kind of feel it was easy. I will not say it was easy; instead, I'll say it is
something anyone can achieve.
4. What do you think homeschooling families should be focusing on in terms of their education?
There are a
few things that I will advise to homeschoolers in the same boat as myself.
First plan
ahead; think about every single step. Only if I didn't come so abruptly in
pursuing medicine things would have been smooth. Planning 3 or 4 years will
always give you more advantages.
Second;
there's no alternative to hard work.
5. Was
someone in your family homeschooling before you or you were the first one?
No, nobody had even thought of homeschooling before me. The idea to homeschool also came up during my madrasa when my mom was quite worried as I may never be able to compete with my formally schooled peers from elite schools in Karachi.
6. Was there support available to you from extended family throughout your homeschooling journey?
I never had
any support from any of my extended family. My formal homeschooling was never
disclosed to anyone until I got into college.
From my
admission to madrasa when I was barely 3, I was mocked and ridiculed by many
relatives. From expressing fake compassion that I don't go to school to fake
worries that how will I be able to survive in society without English they had
every reason to humiliate me and my family like if I am very
"bechari"
Perhaps that
defined me and my journey to strive towards the impossible.
7. What's education in your eyes and how do you see Homeschooling as a path?
During
British colonial times, we have divided education into two realms; religious and contemporary school education.
Madrasa doesn't teach science, maths fiction, literature, poetry, or languages other than
Arabic
Schools are
completely devoid of any religious education.
I have a
very strong opinion about it. Why have we alienated religion from science and
technology? Contemporary education has zero-tolerance for madrasa graduates.
Maybe homeschooling is the answer to that as it will enable people to pursue darse nizami to get into prestigious public medical and engineering institutions in Pakistan and abroad.
8. did you start homeschooling with the plan that you would want to end up in the medical field?
No, I had no
intentions of becoming a doctor. I was already studying in madrasa. It was very
accidental. I didn't plan ahead.
We as a
family had a tragedy on a very personal level, and perhaps it was Allah's plan
for me to go for medicine. Maybe it was an awakening for me to invest myself in
medicine. Alhamdolillah, my success did heal many of those wounds and helped us
to move forward.
9. So
were you totally home tutored or did you take help from outside?
I never went
to school(you can say that I am a kid jisne kabhi school ki shakal nahi dekhi)
My first day in
pechs college was my first day ever to a formal educational institution.
I was
completely tutored at home initially by my mom, dad, and siblings, and
afterward, I started self-studying and only consulting if I didn't understand.
In grades 9th
and 10th, my sisters and brother divided subjects and topics they were
comfortable teaching. I also searched and effectively used Ann Academy, Khan
Academy, and other resources on youtube, Google, and Facebook.
I started
private tuitions in grades 11 and 12.
10. What
message would you want to give to other homeschooling kids?
1. Allah has made every kid special. Your unique capabilities will assist you if you stop whining about what Allah has given others, not you.
2. Hard work
is key to success
Put your 100 percent, then leave it to Allah.
3. Ask Allah
again and again. Beg him if it's khair bless me with it, only Allah you know
better.
4. Be
consistent with your goals, don't compare yourself with others.
11. What
would you be doing if you were not taken to Medical University?
Honestly
speaking, I never thought about it. For me, if I have alternate plans, then my
main plan gets failed. My experience is instead of seeking alternative plans
B, C, D, why don't we put our 100 percent in our plan A? So I never thought about what
would be my course of action if I didn't get admission to med college.
12. What
are your future plans, dreams, or ambitions?
Well, I am
not 100 percent sure about the
future as I am in the very initial phases of
my career.
My first
goal is to keep in touch with Quran and hadith as I don't want to forget my 16 years of work just for my worldly
aspirations. May Allah give me the chance to continue my learning and teaching
journey as the best people are those who learn and teach Islam.
I also
observed that we don't have a proper medical ethics system and laws. We are
made to study the medical ethics jurisprudence, which sometimes is completely
misaligned with our Islamic values. InshaAllah, I will try to work on this.
Through my
personal experience, I have a strong desire to merge both systems of education.
I really want to see more people from our madrasas and Darul Uloom.
we thank Zunaira Qazi for taking the time and answering our queries and we heartily congratulate her for a giant leap towards a bright future. Barak Allahu feekum.
May Allah reward her with best. Ameen