CHALLENGES FACING THE MAKTAB CLASS IN THE AREA OF THE ENTITY OF REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Abstract

UDK: 37:28-472(497.6 RS)

The article emphasises on the irreplaceable upbringing and educational role of maktab in contemporary time, the time of transformation of family and the time of the crises of the family values where we are faced with numerous challenges on social networks as well as in public sphere. The empirical part of this article presents the results of a research on the attitude of imams and muallims regarding the challenges facing the maktab class in the region of Republic of Srpska. These results show the following as challenges facing the maktab class in Republic of Srpska: the reduced number of students as a result of migration of the population within the borders as well as of the immigration to the countries in Western Europe, low percentage of students who attend the class of religious studies in schools attending the maktab class, parents attitude which reflects the belief that it is sufficient for their children to attend the religious studies class in school, extracurricular activities that are organized in the time and days when maktab classes are scheduled, combined groups in maktab, and other challenges including the national identity crisis. The article also presents the opinions of the respondents to the research questionnaire regarding the solutions to these problems and those include: the education of imams, establishment of maktab centers in urban areas and within larger jamaats, organizing educational camps, strengthening the cooperation between imams and teachers of the religious studies class, etc.