Why Your Competition Might Be Losing Parental Trust

For over a decade, my life has been woven with the rhythm of Quran competitions. I’ve served as an organiser, teacher, and judge—sometimes all in one weekend. I have experienced the exhilarating moments when a child recites flawlessly, the heavy silences when tears betray nerves, and the shifting atmosphere in the room as parents wait for results. Through it all, a recurring theme has emerged: parental trust is not won by glossy brochures or clever branding but by the day-to-day realities of how we run our competitions. This trust, once eroded, is far more difficult to restore than it is to lose.

Understanding Parental Expectations

Before we look at where trust falters, it’s worth reflecting on what parents want from a Quran competition. Their child’s well-being—spiritual and emotional—will always come first. Beyond that, they seek an environment of fairness, transparency, and meaningful learning. Parents invest time, resources, and hope; for many, it’s not just another activity but a step in nurturing their child’s relationship with the Quran.

Yet, subtle missteps can leave parents feeling anxious, let down, or even resentful. Based on my experiences and many candid conversations over the years, here are some of the most frequent reasons competitions lose parental trust—and, more importantly, how to avoid them.

1. Lack of Clarity and Communication

The most immediate way to erode trust is confusion. I have seen parents turn up at unfamiliar venues with no clear guidance—wondering where to register, which room their child should be in, or even what surah will be recited. Sometimes, rules are changed—or clarified—only at the very last moment.

• Vague or Late Instructions: If essential details (such as timetable, format, judging criteria) are sent out late, or change without notice, families feel unprepared and undervalued.
• Unclear Marking Schemes: Parents and students need to know how performance will be assessed. “Overall impression” is not a sufficient criterion. The rubric must be shared in advance.
• Poor Communication Channels: When parents’ queries go unanswered or responses are dismissive, frustration grows.

My advice: Over-communicate rather than under-communicate. Use emails, printed sheets, WhatsApp groups—whatever works. Share every aspect, even if it seems trivial, in language parents can easily understand.

2. Perceived or Real Bias in Judging

Nothing damages trust like a sense of unfairness. I recall a mother approaching me, visibly upset, after a competition. Her child had received high scores from two judges and a mysteriously low one from the third—without explanation. What parents see as bias, whether real or perceived, undermines everything.

• Lack of Transparency: If judges’ identities, backgrounds, or scoring methods are secretive, suspicion festers.
• No Standardisation: Marking that feels subjective or inconsistent across judges is a red flag.
• Conflicts of Interest: Judges with ties to some participants (family, teaching relationships) can lead to accusations of favouritism.

Always provide clear marking rubrics and, where possible, anonymise recitations. Encourage judges to provide written comments—not just marks—so feedback is constructive. And never allow one judge’s score to overpower consensus.

3. Insufficient Emotional Safety for Children

Quran competitions are public events, but children remain vulnerable. I learned this early, after watching a bright student break down in tears when a judge made a dismissive remark about his tajweed. The memory stayed with him—and his parents—long after the competition.

• Harsh or Public Criticism: Negative comments in front of peers or an audience do more harm than good.
• Rigid Environment: Excessive formality or punitive attitudes sap the joy from participation.
• Lack of Support Staff: No designated volunteers to support nervous or distressed children makes everything harder for parents.

Make emotional safety part of your competition’s DNA. Train judges to be empathetic; remind them these are not seasoned public speakers but young hearts. Assign friendly volunteers to greet children, help them settle, and escort them if upset.

4. Disorganisation on the Day

No matter how noble the intentions, nothing shakes confidence like a shambles on the day. I have been part of events that ran two hours late, with children and parents left sitting in overheated rooms, meals delayed, and no announcements as to what was happening next.

• Poor Timekeeping: Running late without explanation shows disregard for participants’ time.
• Missing Materials: Not enough Qurans, name tags, or certificates can all undermine parents’ sense that the competition is well managed.
• No Safety Provisions: Not having visible first aid or child safeguarding measures in place will be noticed (and remembered) by parents.

Rehearse the day. Assign clear roles. Communicate any delays immediately and offer apologies, not excuses. Parents are much more forgiving when kept in the loop.

5. Lack of Meaningful Feedback

A common frustration voiced by parents is the lack of actionable feedback for their child’s performance. Scores alone are rarely enough; families want to help their children grow for next time.

Years ago, after a long day of recitations and tense results, one parent asked me, “How can we help her improve? Is it memorisation, tajweed, confidence?” This is a fair question, and failing to answer it diminishes the educational value of the whole experience.

• No Feedback Sheets: If judges do not provide written comments or highlight areas for improvement, opportunities for development are lost.
• Non-Specific Scores: General scores (“8/10”) do not help parents or students understand strengths or weaknesses.
• Reluctance to Engage After Results: Some organizers forget to offer a chance for parents to ask follow-up questions after the event.

Even a simple personalised comment can make the difference between discouragement and motivation. Ensure every participant, not just winners, receives some constructive feedback.

6. Focusing on Winning Over Learning

A dangerous trend in competitions is the prioritisation of trophies and rankings over meaningful connection with the Quran. When the only celebrated outcome is victory, the broader spiritual and communal aims risk being lost.

• Pressure to Win: If organisers or teachers promote a win-at-all-costs ethos, children—and their parents—can feel alienated or pressured.
• Neglecting Non-Winners: All attention on the top three, with token appreciation for others, leads to disappointment and demotivation.
• No Effort to Build Community: If competitions ignore the wider sense of belonging and shared growth, parents ask: what is the true purpose here?

Reaffirm the educational and spiritual aims in every aspect. Publicly praise effort, improvement, and adab alongside technical skill. Create group activities or workshops so participants feel part of a supportive community—whatever their scoring outcome.

Practical Steps to Rebuild Trust

Having witnessed both the best and worst of Quran competitions, I believe that recovering parental trust is a matter of consistent, transparent, and compassionate practice. Here are some actions that have made the most tangible difference:

• Develop clear, published guidelines and marking schemes before registration opens.
• Train all staff—judges, volunteers, organisers—in basic child safeguarding and empathetic communication.
• Offer pre-competition briefings and post-competition feedback sessions.
• Be open about mistakes or delays and address them promptly.
• Solicit regular, anonymous feedback from parents to identify and remedy issues.
• Celebrate participation and improvement, not just victory.

Above all, never forget that Quran competitions are, at heart, a service to the Ummah—to nurture love for the Book of Allah in children and families. Building parental trust is an ongoing commitment that pays dividends not only in successful events but, more importantly, in the spiritual and personal growth of every young reciter.

Final Thoughts

Running a trustworthy Quran competition requires more than administrative competence; it demands humility, transparency, and genuine care for every participant and their family. When these elements are present, parental trust will not just endure—it will thrive.

If you need help with your Quran competition platform or marking tools, email info@qurancompetitions.tech.