Procedure for Selecting Teachers for IIS School - Dr Zakir Naik
Dr. Zakir Naik describes the rigorous teacher and Qari selection process for his Islamic International School (IIS), emphasizing extremely low acceptance rates below 1%. He highlights strict rules, competitive salaries, and an exclusive policy of hiring only Muslim teachers.
Summary
In this transcript, Dr. Zakir Naik discusses the strict hiring procedures at his Islamic International School (IIS). He describes himself as a 'nightmare' for both parents and teachers due to the school's extensive rules and regulations, noting that the school has even been nicknamed the 'Al-Qaeda school' — a reference to the Arabic word 'Qaeda' meaning rules and regulations, not the terrorist organization.
Regarding teacher selection, Dr. Naik states that out of approximately 2,500 teachers interviewed, fewer than 25 were selected, representing a selection rate of roughly 0.1% — far below 1%. A similarly rigorous process was applied to selecting Qaris (Quran reciters), where a team traveled to various parts of India including Lucknow, Nadwa, and Surat, interviewing over 4,000 candidates to select over 40 Qaris. Overall, he emphasizes that less than 1% of all interviewed candidates are hired as staff.
To attract top talent despite these strict standards, the school advertises openly in newspapers with a promise to pay selected candidates more than their current salary, regardless of their prior earnings — even those teaching at prestigious convent schools. Dr. Naik also explicitly states that the school exclusively employs Muslim teachers.
Key Insights
- Dr. Zakir Naik claims the IIS teacher selection rate is approximately 0.1%, with fewer than 25 teachers selected from around 2,500 interviewed, framing this as a mark of quality control.
- Dr. Naik uses the term 'Al-Qaeda school' as a self-deprecating joke, clarifying that 'Qaeda' in Arabic means rules and regulations, not the terrorist organization, to explain the school's reputation for strictness.
- The school sent recruitment teams to multiple cities across India — including Lucknow, Nadwa, and Surat — to interview over 4,000 Qaris, ultimately selecting over 40, reflecting a highly localized and expansive recruitment effort.
- Dr. Naik states that the school publicly advertises a guarantee to pay selected staff more than their current salary, irrespective of their prior earnings, as a strategy to attract high-quality candidates.
- Dr. Naik explicitly states that IIS exclusively hires Muslim teachers, including those who may have previously taught at convent (Christian-run) schools.
Topics
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