Report on a Master's Thesis Titled: "Quranic Reflection Skills Among Middle School Quran Teachers and the Obstacles to Their Use"

Abstract

This study, conducted by the researcher Khalid bin Hassan al-Suhaymi for a Master’s degree at King Saud University, addresses a vital subject: the Quranic contemplation (Tadabbur) skills of intermediate school teachers. The thesis aims to identify the specific skills required for these educators, measure the extent of their actual availability and practice, and uncover the obstacles preventing their implementation in the educational field. The researcher employed a descriptive-survey methodology, applying research instruments (an observation checklist and a questionnaire) to a sample of 180 teachers in the city of Riyadh.

The results identified 10 primary contemplation skills (such as inquiry, analysis, deduction, and representation), encompassing 27 performance indicators. However, the study revealed a significant gap in application; teacher practice of these skills during lessons was found to be "non-existent," with a low arithmetic mean of (0.18).

The study also diagnosed "major" obstacles hindering contemplation, most notably those related to the student (such as high class density), the curriculum (such as a lack of engaging aids), and the teacher (such as inadequate university preparation and a lack of specialized training). The thesis concluded with significant recommendations, including the necessity of integrating contemplation skills into curricula, developing teacher training modules, and reducing class sizes. These measures aim to empower teachers to transcend the traditional role—limited to phonetic correction and memorization—and move toward the horizons of comprehension and practical application.