Closure threat to Muslim school

Closure threat to Muslim school

The school could be closed down

School inspectors have published a damning report on one of Scotland's two independent Muslim schools.

They said the education provided for secondary pupils and boarders at Iqra Academy, in Glasgow, was unsatisfactory and that the welfare of the school's students was not being safeguarded.

The report states that the learning and teaching is of poor quality, there are concerns about the school ethos and management is "ineffective".

The Scottish Executive has served notice, giving the academy six months to implement the report's recommendations, or face possible closure.

We assure our parents, community and patrons that we will do the best we can to provide good education in a healthy environment to our pupils

Board of trustees

School officials said they were "seriously concerned" about the report and would act to address the failings.

The Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) report said the quality of accommodation at the school, in Paisley Road West, was its only key strength.

Inspectors issued a report with 13 main points for action and warned that its future would be in doubt if these requirements were not met.

Among other problems, the inspectors said the school "was not promoting a healthy lifestyle", with poor exercise provision and a lack of fresh fruit and vegetables for boarders.

Change of ownership

The academy was provisionally registered in August 1999 to provide nursery to primary seven children with education in a Muslim environment.

Ownership passed from a family and board of governors to a trust in November 2001 and the provisional registration was continued.

In August 2002 a secondary school was opened for boys and girls, with boarding for boys.

Officials said they were committed to complying with regulations

However, the inspection carried out in January and February 2003 - when there were 24 boys, including 15 boarders and eight girls on the roll - exposed numerous shortcomings.

In a statement, school officials said: "We are seriously concerned about the issues raised and we will immediately implement points of actions outlined in the report."

They said the academy was committed to complying with government regulations about teaching in Scotland.

"We assure our parents, community and patrons that we will do the best we can to provide good education in a healthy environment to our pupils."

The original Iqra Academy, opened in 1999, was supported by Glasgow Councillor Hanzala Malik, who told BBC News Online that he welcomed the inspectors' report.

He said it was very important that children received a basic education.

"I would be very supportive of the inspectors in terms of making sure that what they are saying actually happens," Mr Malik added.

Scotland's other Muslim school is in Dundee.