Case Study: Calgary Islamic School – Omar Ibn Al Khattab Tahfeeth Campus
From Disconnected to Aligned: OBK’s Digital Shift
Discover how a shift to a unified digital platform helped them reclaim 4-5 precious hours of teaching time each week, while simultaneously building a stronger, more connected school community centered on student progress.
Executive Summary
The Calgary Islamic School’s Omar Ibn Al-Khattab Campus sought to strengthen the vital connection between home and school in its demanding full-time Tahfeeth (Quran memorization) program. Facing unreliable communication and low parent engagement, they implemented IlmConnect. The results were transformative: parent engagement increased tenfold, teachers saved 4-5 hours weekly on administrative tasks, and students benefited from a unified support system, leading to a more motivated learning environment.
Key Results:
Significant Time Savings for Teachers
Teachers reclaimed 4-5 hours per week previously spent on manual tracking and communication.
Enhanced Student Motivation
Students became more accountable and motivated knowing their parents were informed partners in their progress.
The Challenge: A Disconnected Learning Journey
The Tahfeeth program at OBK aims to graduate students who excel both Islamically and academically. This requires a strong, three-way partnership between teachers, students, and parents. However, the school struggled with fragmented communication.
Teachers used time-consuming, unreliable methods like paper duotangs and phone calls. “Before, it was impossible to properly track daily assessments,” noted Rasha Osman, a Quran Teacher. Vital progress information was often lost, and only a handful of parents were actively engaged. Sheikh Hassan Khalil explained the core issue: “Our big goal, getting parents involved with their children’s education, was not going to happen with the communication methods we were using.”
This disconnect meant teachers spent excessive hours on admin work, parents were left in the dark, and students lacked the consistent home support crucial for a rigorous memorization program.
“It’s important that parents and teachers work together to support students. After volunteering at a few schools, that didn’t seem to be the reality. Parents and teachers are too busy. That’s why I decided to create an easy way to track student progress that would be convenient for both teachers and parents.”
Ahmed El Bannan, Founder & CEO, IlmConnect
The Solution: Unified Tracking and Automated Communication with IlmConnect
OBK needed a single platform to align everyone. IlmConnect provided the “shared sandbox” they needed. Its Quran Tracker feature became the central hub where teachers could efficiently log daily progress and assign homework.
The critical innovation was automated, daily progress reports emailed directly to parents. This feature delivered consistent, transparent updates without adding a single minute to teachers’ workloads. As research shows, regular, positive communication is key to building the trust necessary for strong parent engagement.
“It connects parents, students and teachers, and gets them all working together,” said Sheikh Hassan. The platform turned sporadic updates into a reliable stream of information, making parental involvement easy and expected.
The Results: A Transformed Partnership for Learning
Implementing IlmConnect fundamentally changed the dynamic of the Tahfeeth program.
For Teachers: Regained Time and Focus
The administrative burden lifted dramatically. “IlmConnect has saved me at least 4-5 hours a week,” reported Rasha Osman. This allowed teachers to redirect their energy from logistical tracking to their core mission: “I can focus on the most important part, teaching my students the Holy Quran”
For Parents: 10x Engagement and Active Partnership
The impact on parent involvement was the most striking outcome. “Before, only a few parents would be engaged,” Rasha observed. “Now, most parents are checking in and are engaged with their children’s progress!” The automated daily reports provided the visibility parents needed to offer timely support and encouragement at home.
For the School: A Data-Driven, Motivated Community
The school achieved its goal of a cohesive educational partnership. “You can see the difference in student’s motivation when the parents are getting updated every day,” said Sheikh Hassan. With clear data and streamlined processes, the school fostered an environment where students felt supported by a unified team, leading to better outcomes. Schools with strong parent engagement strategies can see up to 40% better student performance.
Measurable Impact at a Glance
| Metric | Before IlmConnect | After IlmConnect |
|---|---|---|
| Parent Engagement | Only a few parents involved | 10x increase; majority actively engaged |
| Teacher Admin Time | High; manual tracking & calls | Saves 4-5 hours/week per teacher |
| Progress Communication | Unreliable, sporadic, time-intensive | Daily, automated, and reliable reports |
| Program Management | Fragmented tools & processes | Centralized, streamlined in one platform |
“Completely changed the way we work… I would recommend IlmConnect to all Quran teachers. It’s fantastic!”
Rasha Osman, Quran Teacher, Calgary Islamic School – OBK
“IlmConnect was great in helping me stay updated with my child’s progress. I had constant access to all my child’s work. Thank you IlmConnect team!”
Fatimah, Parent, Calgary Islamic School – OBK
What are you waiting for?
IlmConnect is the all-in-one school management system that saves time, increases productivity, and takes your school to the next level. Don’t wait any longer, experience the future of education today with IlmConnect.
