The Development of Education: Maktab, Madrasa, Science and Pedagogy
Education in arts and sciences was often directed by religious institutions in the Middle Ages. Mosques, maktabs (elementary religious schools) and madrasas (secondary religious schools) were essential in the education of children in the medieval Caliphate, and monasteries fulfilled a similar role in Tibet after the arrival of Buddhism in the 7th century. There were exceptions to this however: the dabiristans were secular schools for servants in courtly administration in the Sassanid and later, the Caliphal period, where an extensive education was acquired, including history, literature, philosophy, horse-riding, polo, chess and music.
