THE SCHOOL AND FALLING STANDARD IN MORALITY; WHAT DO MUSLIMS STAND TO GAIN?_ BY DR RAZAQ BOLAWAYE UTHMAN.

189TH EDITION OF VOICE OF THE MIMBARR 01-03-1448 AH/14-08-2026.

Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim

You are welcome once again to the Voice of the Mimbarr as we launch into the month of the birth of Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam (SAW)). Fervent glory be to Allah (SubhanaHu Wa Ta'ala (SWT)) on due favour of life and welfare. May the cause of blessing be extended to the Messenger Muhammad and the conglomerate of genuine followers till eternity. May the cause of humanity triumph in spite of all odds. 

This edition would dwell on yet another hitch on the trend in our society regarding mode of shaping younger generations. Far and above surreptitious galvanization and possible repetition of concept of morality, moding younger generations deserves concerted actions for desirable result on the long run. On the 15th August 2025 precisely, 'Why Our Schools Must Not Fail' was treated as a topical issue on the trend.

This gave us insights into the manner at which Schools threw big parties and 'Get-together', hiring big Event Halls and exorbitant funds lavished. That notwithstanding, the vertex of all was playing sexual innuendo musics and younger female parents taking to the floor dancing with their children. Considering the beeping immorality this could cause if allowed to continue, male parents were advised to seldom attend the occasions with them as a damage control. To our credits, we had some State Governments such as Anambra, Ondo, Ogun and lots more that outlawed throwing big party by the schools to avoid financial burden on the parents.

Barely a year later, observers noted with keen interest the trend of youthful exuberance culminating in 'Signing Out' laden with immorality and cascading into not only Secondary but also Primary levels of education. This featured downward spreading to traditional writing on plain white shirts which to a large extent placed not only financial debates over costly levies but also telling much on students' morality. The question of ''Who to blame?' goes beyond individuals to collective responsibilities of all stakeholders in the training of the children. 

Themed Outfits, Customised Jerseys, Matching Baggy Pants and Coloured Club wears rent the air in the name of celebrating the final day in school. Finalists in this category often shoot cinematic videos and hold flamboyant memorable parties which are laden with several immoral gestures. The erratic development brought about by social media sooner gives room for in equilibrium in the assessment of morality. One is tempted to ask, however, that: 'how did we get to this juncture?' 

Equally begging for answer is whether or not 'Signing Out' from a school guarantees success in life. It is to this end that a poet aptly laments saying: ان السعادة امر ليس يدركها # امر السعادة الا بالمقادير

meaning: 'Success is warranted not by imagination; rather than efforts and divine glory expedition.' It suffices to narrate the story of an International young Achiever. Edison Thomas was hitherto sent out of school with a letter addressed to his mother to look for another school for the poor boy. The mother understood the content but played matured and positive game on the intelligence of the boy. Tutorializing him alone, she reassured him of outlandish success in life. 

Failure at times plays set back role to success but it depends largely on the approach towards its turn around. Young Thomas began trajectory of life which made him to take employment with Railway Company. His unconscious saving the life of a boy belonging to his boss attracted the boss to teach him the use of telegram as a way of appreciating him. His 'magnum opus' later came in terms of discovery of light bulb which continues to evolve to date. Thomas though leveraged on several colleagues, it is to his credit that electric bulb came into existence. What matters is that the poor boy did not rest on his oaxes and was not deterred by ting of either success or failure. This is why he exclaimed: 'Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.'

By way of contrast, 'signing out' took similar origin with sagging, hair dredge and mirage of gutter culture that ravage the modern society. These reasonated from the 'Never-do-well' and rabble rouser children in rehabilitation homes particularly in Advance nations that claim monopoly of civilization. If transfer of technology would include ting of imbecility of this nature, the nation Nigeria should take exception. It is high time Institutional ban from Federal, State Governments Ministries and Agencies in charge of education condemned extreme behaviours, indecent dressing and rowdiness.

If schools would remain a focrum of civilization, moral precepts would be taken care of. Our society's long term identity should not be sacrificed on the alter of neo-colonialist protocols. Allah (SWT) in the holy Qur'an categorically declares: 'We did indeed offer the Trust to the Heavens and the Earth and the Mountains; but they refused to undertake it, being afraid thereof: but man undertook it: -- he was indeed unjust and foolish (Qur'an 33:71).' The position of trust school occupies is subject to accountability on the basis of dishing out what was not bargained for. As a fortress to renewed development, Muslim in this part of the climes cannot afford to loose head to neglected and thrown to the bin culture in the name of possible orientating the children.

To sum it up, what is the gain of education that places children in total disconnect if not total annihilation? For a man to be immune of hell, Allah (SWT) warns: 'O ye who believe! save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is men and stone.....(Qur'an 66:6).' It is to this end that Government Agencies such as National Orientation Agency is task with unceasing campaigns against immorality in the education sector. These campaigns include clampdown on 'Sign Out' with sexual inuendoes, using funds as bait in schools to award excellence apart from the almighty merit. A stop must be put to the hyocrisy at play in education sector. A fervent call is also made to re-engineer relugious education in public schools for the fact that we are not creating a new world for the children other than the current. Till we meet again in the bext edition, stay blessed and Jum'at Mubarakah.

#SchoolsFallingMoral

#SigningOutTrend

#CallonStakeholders

© DR RAZAQ BOLAWAYE UTHMAN, 

IMAM & MISSIONER ANSAR-UD-DEEN SOCIETY OF NIGERIA IPAJA BRANCH LAGOS STATE NIGERIA. 

2026