Founded by Maulana Naseem Anwar Nadwi and his wife Tabassum Fatima, the academy educates hundreds of boys and girls with modern CBSE schooling and strong Islamic values in a safe and disciplined setting
RANCHI — In the quiet green hills of Itki, about 25 km from the bustling capital of Jharkhand, a special school has grown from very modest beginnings into something much larger. Fatima Academy, which educates both girls and boys, is more than just another school. It is a place where Muslim families in rural areas can send their children for a quality modern education alongside proper Islamic learning, all in a secure and caring environment.
The academy is located in Fatima Nagar, Itki Jawhar. It was founded on 8 January 1998, at a time when modern schools were hard to find in this part of the countryside. Back then, many families—especially those with daughters—faced social pressure and economic hardship that made education difficult. Maulana Naseem Anwar Nadwi, the academy’s director and chairman of the Fatima Educational and Health Trust, decided to change that.
Speaking to Clarion India, Maulana Nadwi said, “When we came to Itki, there were almost no proper educational facilities for children, particularly girls. Social barriers and limited thinking in the rural area made things very difficult. But we believed that education is the way forward for our community.”
He and his wife, Tabassum Fatima, who serves as principal of the girls’ section, devoted everything they had to this work. Maulana Nadwi donated all his personal property and resources to the mission. His wife sold her jewellery to help raise funds for the school. Their sacrifices laid the foundation for what stands today.
Tabassum Fatima explained, “Both of us studied in Lucknow. When we arrived in Itki, we saw that girls were mostly confined to household work. We did not want that. We wanted them to become independent, confident, and strong in their faith as well as in modern knowledge. The early days were very hard, but with the help of Allah, we persevered.”
The academy began in a small rented hall with just 17 girls. There was no large building, no proper facilities, and plenty of doubt among locals. Yet the couple worked with patience and dedication. Gradually, as parents saw the positive results, strong discipline, and a safe Islamic environment, trust grew.
Today, around 600 boys and girls study at Fatima Academy. The school operates under the Fatima Educational and Health Trust, which focuses not only on academics but also on health awareness, moral training, social responsibility, and developing well-rounded personalities.
The campus spans five acres of green land, surrounded by hills and forests. This peaceful setting supports children’s mental and physical growth. There are separate buildings for different needs. The girls’ hostel is a three-storey structure covering about 15,660 square feet and can accommodate around 300 girls. The boys have their own separate and secure hostel. A three-storey classroom building of roughly 13,860 square feet houses smart classrooms, science laboratories, a computer lab, a library, a conference hall, offices, and guest rooms. There is also a dedicated prayer area for girls and a separate three-storey building for intermediate boys covering about 15,000 square feet.
What makes Fatima Academy stand out is its dual education system. Students follow the CBSE pattern in English medium for modern subjects while also learning Islamic sciences. This includes memorisation of the Holy Quran, its Tafseer (explanation), Hadith, Fiqh (Islamic law), and strong moral training. Education goes from nursery up to Class 10 and then to the intermediate level (+2). Both English and Urdu mediúms are offered. Classrooms, activities, and hostels remain completely separate for boys and girls, which gives parents, especially those sending daughters, a high level of confidence and security.
Tabassum Fatima said, “Teachers here do more than just teach from books. They guide every child in mental, moral, and educational growth. We have enough female teachers for the girls’ section. Girls can memorise the whole Qur’an in about 22 months while keeping up with their regular studies and doing well in both.”
The school puts a strong focus on the all-around development of the students. Besides regular classes, students take part in scientific experiments, educational tours to places like Science City and Fun Castle, drawing, painting, poetry sessions, and other cultural and moral programmes.
The academy also holds Qur’an and Tafseer competitions at the All Jharkhand level, where students from madrasas across Jharkhand and even Odisha take part. These activities help build confidence, discipline, and social awareness among the children.
Academic results have been consistently strong, showing that the dual system works well. In Class 10 board examinations, the academy recorded a 100 per cent pass rate, with many students scoring very high marks. Top performers included Juwairiya R with 99.20 per cent, Noreen Fatima with 98.40 per cent, Zuha Fatima with 96.80 per cent, Sadra Taqdees with 97 per cent, Bushra Arsh with 94 per cent, Ayesha Parveen with 92 per cent, and others. Class 12 results were also excellent, with a 100 per cent pass rate. Thirty students secured first division, 25 got second division, and 18 achieved third division. Many intermediate students, particularly from the science stream, go on to join good colleges in Ranchi such as Xavier College, Marwari College, Arsh Line Convent Girls College, Gossner College, and Women’s College.
Maulana Nadwi said with pride, “These results show the success of combining modern education with Islamic values. Our students are not only passing exams but are also becoming responsible members of society.”
The fee structure is kept reasonable so that families from different economic backgrounds can afford it. For the 2025-26 session, girls pay a one-time admission fee of 8,000 rupees, monthly tuition between 400 and 800 rupees depending on the class, and mess charges of 2,000 rupees per month. For boys, the admission fee is 10,000 rupees, with lodging and food at 3,200 rupees monthly. Boys memorising the Qur’an can get a reduced admission fee of 5,000 rupees. The academy offers free admission or fee concessions for poor and needy students.
Tabassum Fatima noted that the school is working to add more female teachers in the girls’ section to make the environment even safer and more comfortable.
Parents speak highly of the academy. On Justdial, it holds a 4.8-star rating based on about 70 reviews. One parent wrote, “The security is very good, so I feel safe sending my daughter. The fees are reasonable, there are no hidden costs, and the Islamic atmosphere is excellent.” Another review mentioned the experienced staff and the overall discipline.
Maulana Nadwi has been honoured with the Academic Excellence and Community Leadership award for his services to education in Jharkhand.
Looking to the future, Maulana Nadwi has clear plans. He wants to expand the academy so more boys and girls can benefit. He aims to strengthen the intermediate classes, prepare students better for higher education, and develop the campus further.
Tabassum Fatima added, “We want girls not only to get educated but also to play a positive role in society. Our focus on personality development and moral training will continue.”
She said, “We hope Fatima Academy becomes a model for the whole region, producing a generation that is conscious, morally upright, and successful in both religious and worldly matters.”
