Our Standards
What the Muʿtamad Standard Evaluates
Transparency is foundational to trust. This page outlines exactly what Muʿtamad Certified Teachers and Muʿtamad Certified Academies have been evaluated on. I publish these standards so that parents, teachers, and institute leaders can see for themselves what this credential represents.
Teacher Evaluation Standards
Every Muʿtamad Certified Teacher has been evaluated across the following domains. For each domain, the evaluator reviews portfolio evidence, observes a live lesson, and assesses communication and professionalism holistically.
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Does the teacher have a clear, articulated teaching philosophy grounded in professional frameworks? Do they reference specific methodologies and connect them to their actual practice?
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Are lessons planned with clear objectives, logical progression, appropriate pacing, and evidence of differentiation? Is cognitive load managed effectively?
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Does the teacher have a structured process for assessing new students before beginning instruction? Does the intake gather information about the learner’s level, goals, needs, and background?
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Does the teacher communicate professionally with families? Are progress updates provided? Are boundaries and policies clear?
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Is the teacher actively implementing course-learned frameworks in their everyday practice — not just aware of them, but using them?
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Does the observed lesson demonstrate effective teaching? Are students engaged? Is the teacher responsive to learner needs in real time?
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Can the teacher critically evaluate their own practice? Do they use reflective models to analyse challenges and improve?
Institute Audit Standards
Every Muʿtamad Certified Academy has been audited across seven domains. Each domain must meet the standard for certification to be granted. Safeguarding is a non-negotiable gate — an institute that does not demonstrate adequate safeguarding cannot be certified.
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What proportion of teaching staff are professionally trained? Is there a staff onboarding process? Is professional development supported?
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How are new students assessed, placed, and onboarded? Is there a trial lesson process?
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Are progress reports provided regularly? Are response times defined and met? Is there a complaint handling process?
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Is there a written safeguarding policy? Have all staff acknowledged it? Is there a designated safeguarding lead? Is there a background check policy?
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Are lessons planned and structured? Is the online platform used effectively? Are materials professional and age-appropriate?
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Are teachers observed internally? Is student and parent feedback collected and acted upon? Is the curriculum reviewed?
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Is marketing honest? Are staff treated fairly? Is intellectual property respected?
The Muʿtamad Ethics Agreement
Every Muʿtamad Certified Teacher signs the following ethics agreement. These commitments are not aspirational — they are conditions of certification. Violation of any standard is grounds for review and potential revocation.
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1. I will maintain appropriate professional boundaries with all students, particularly minors.
2. I will respect student and family privacy and never share student information without explicit consent.
3. I will communicate honestly about my qualifications, experience, and teaching scope.
4. I will not make claims about ijāzah, scholarly authority, or credentials that have not been independently verified.
5. I will treat all students with dignity regardless of background, level, learning pace, or reason for studying.
6. I will not use shaming, public correction, or punitive language in my teaching.
7. I will report any safeguarding concerns through appropriate channels.
8. I will not use Muʿtamad Certification to imply qualifications or endorsements beyond the scope of this credential.
How Standards Are Maintained
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Certification is valid for two years. Renewal requires continued professional development, an updated professional reflection, confirmation of active teaching status, and re-affirmation of the ethics agreement. Teachers and institutes that do not renew are removed from the directory.
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Certification may be revoked for verified ethical violations, professional misconduct, misrepresentation of credentials, or failure to maintain standards. The revocation process includes written notification, opportunity to respond, review, and a final decision. Teachers and institutes whose certification is revoked are immediately removed from the directory.
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Any certification decision may be appealed in writing within 30 days. Appeals are reviewed and a final decision is issued within 21 business days. The appeal decision is final.
What the Muʿtamad Standard Does Not Claim
It is not governmental accreditation or regulatory approval.
It is not a replacement for an ijāzah or any scholarly credential.
It does not guarantee teaching outcomes or student results.
It does not certify religious knowledge or scholarly authority.
It does not grant degree equivalency or teaching license status.
It evaluates teaching quality, professionalism, and ethical practice within online Islamic education.
The Muʿtamad Standard is a professional standards recognition program operated by Ms. Lamia Learns, a service of Madrasatu AlFaseelah LLC. It is not a government-issued accreditation, teaching license, or degree equivalency. It is a professional verification of teaching quality, pedagogical standards, and ethical practice within online Islamic education.