Here is a rather different account:

"A "madrassa" (sometimes transliterated into 'madrasa' or 'madrassah') is an Arabic word meaning "school." Typically it refers to an Islamic school for Muslims. It's similiar to a parochial school or more like a yeshiva, where the purpose is to teach children about the religion of Islam....

...Recently, people have come to associate madrassas in a negative light, amid accusations that many indoctrinate students with extremist views. Some accused extremist madrassas and "Deobandi seminaries" of forming the Taliban's reactionary policies. In reality almost 65 percent of the Taliban officials and workers at lower level had never been to any religious school..."

...Islam places a lot of focus on scholarship and learning. Science and philosophy is also taught, as it helps guide the person into a better perception of God and His creations on earth. Learning to read is an obligation for every Muslim, male and female. After a battle to protect Medina, Prophet Muhammad(saw) ordered that prisoners of war could be released once they taught ten people each to read."