maktabdars
Maktabdars are teachers and managers of maktabs, traditional Islamic elementary schools that focus on teaching children to read and write the Arabic script, recite the Qur'an, and learn basic Islamic knowledge. The term maktabdar derives from maktab (school) and dar (house, holder), and in practice refers to the person who runs or teaches at a maktab. Maktabdars operate in mosques, private homes, or community centers, often serving neighborhood children and families. The role can be filled by men or women depending on local custom, and may be full- or part-time or volunteer-based.
Core duties include teaching Qur'anic recitation (with emphasis on correct pronunciation and tajweed), assisting students in
Training for maktabdars varies widely. Some learn through informal mentorship or family tradition; others undertake religious