A traditional primary school in the Muslim world that mainly teaches Arabic and the Quran. Kuttabs are attested to since the 10th century AD. The kuttab’s curriculum also sometimes included science and arithmetic. These schools were housed in a mosque, an open area, or standalone building. Children attending the kuttab were typically aged 5 to 12.
Kuttabs were the main educational institution in the Muslim world before the advent of modern, Western schools in the 20th century. They still exist today, with students attending them mainly to memorize the Quran.