Kolkata: When you first see 8-year-old Mohammed Ashfaque or 7-year-old Mariam Adil, along with other students assembling robotic cars, understanding the processes to build them, and participating in races to see how they work practically, you might think the students are from one of the top-notch schools in the city. But in reality, they study at Ijma International Model School, which is not only small but also situated in the lanes of Topsia, a Muslim ghetto in Kolkata.
However, meeting experts from different fields of international repute to learn new technology at a tender age has become a routine for them.
The boys wearing skull caps and the girls wearing hijab speak fluent English. They were seen listening to the administrators during this weekend..
“As you have learned to assemble robotic cars and tried to understand their engineering, we will also give you an idea of how cars move without drivers and how WiFi-enabled cars function,” said Nafis Ahmed Khan to the excited children. Khan added, “The purpose of the workshop was to give them an insight into robotic cars, how their connections work, and how to make battery connections so that they have a better understanding of how controlled cars work.”
The pupils not only took part in the two-hour-long robotics workshop but their curriculum follows CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) Board too. They learn mathematics, science, and computers as well as the Arabic language and Deeniyat. Every classroom has air conditioners, and there is a smart big screen for students. The school not only holds workshops on the latest technologies but also brings experts from different fields to interact with curious young minds.
Experts visit
There is a long list of experts from different fields from India and abroad, including Professor Ewaz Al-Jum’aa Al-Laila from King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Mufti Obaidulla Asadi, Chairman of the Jurisprudence Committee, Islami Fiqh Academy; Muhammad Mushtaque Nadwi, Judge in the lower court, Doha, Qatar; Maulana Jaafar Hasani Nadwi, Deputy General Secretary, Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow; Wing Commander (Retd) Shamim Akhtar; NUJS Dean Sarfaraz Ahmed Khan; Advocate Khurshid Alam; Mamoon Akhtar, Founder and Chairman of Samaritan Group; Wali Rahmani, Founder of Umeed Academy; Chartered Accountants Faiz Anwar and Asif Ali; NEET Basket Founder Noor Alam; and social activists Manzar Jameel, Athar Firdausi, Umar Owais, Abu Talha Jamal Qasmi, Manzar Imam, and Alam Jamshed, who have met the kids from time to time over the last two years.
“Our students will compete with any other school’s children. We are preparing them so they can remain ahead in every aspect. The future belongs to Artificial Intelligence (AI), so these kids, when they grow up, will not only be well-versed with the latest technology but will also be able to think beyond it and may contribute something new to mankind,” the director, Dr Sarfaraz Adil, told eNewsroom. Dr Sarfaraz revealed the school’s plan to have a robotics lab in the school.
Role of Ijma Charitable Trust
Starting in the year 2023, the classes range from Nursery to 3rd grade. It has around 100 students. Run under the Izma Charitable Trust, it also has a provision for giving scholarships to 20 percent of the total students for each session. Ten percent can get a half-freeship in the fees, and the other ten percent can get a full freeship. “We have a plan to run the senior secondary school, and we have got land for this as well,” added the director.
Message for Parents
Mariam Adil is the daughter of the director. Her presence, according to the director, gives a message that unlike other small schools, the sons and daughters of the faculty also study here. This move will make parents confident about the fact that there will be no compromise in the education imparted at the school.
