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The age-old system of madrasa (religious schools) and maktabs (primary schools) teaching is set to undergo an overhaul with the state government planning their modernization and linking them to the mainstream education system.
The scheme will introduce vigorous reforms in the age-old system to enable the madrasas to keep pace with the modern world and bring its graduates closer to job opportunities. Similar schemes have been planned in other states in the backdrop of charges that madrasas have become breeding grounds of 'conservatism'. However, while the allegations brought the spotlight back on the system,
the efforts to link madrasas to modern educational system has, in general, found opposition from community scholars for the fear that such a move will ensure madrasas lose their independence.
A meeting was held on Monday to discuss the modalities of the scheme that will affect more than two lakh students of madrasas across the state. As part of the scheme, the government will ensure systematic improvement in the infrastructure of residential madrasas, living facilities and educational methods being adopted at madrasas in every district. The scheme will be drawn on the lines of similar projects introduced by the Centre. The state will hold a video-conference of various religious heads and scholars before finalizing it.
"Madrasa education is limited to religious scripts and teachings of Islam. However, there are some madrasas (such as Darul-uloom at Deobund) that have been at the forefront in introducing modern curriculum and education. If this could be emulated elsewhere, lakhs of children can be pulled into the mainstream society and system," said chief secretary J K Banthia.
The government will also carry out registration drives for madrasas as several operate without government verification or accreditation. This, officials said, could be out of fear of losing their autonomy to state authorities.
Muslim scholars welcomed the move but said the government must ensure that it did not interfere in the management. "If they want to teach modern languages and computer studies, we have no problem. But they should assure us they will not touch our curriculum. As it is, we are answerable to tax authorities and the charity commissioner," said Maulana Sayed Ather Ali, member of Muslim Personal Law Board.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-12/mumbai/37058191_1_madrasa-education-mainstream-education-system-muslim-personal-law-board
The scheme will introduce vigorous reforms in the age-old system to enable the madrasas to keep pace with the modern world and bring its graduates closer to job opportunities. Similar schemes have been planned in other states in the backdrop of charges that madrasas have become breeding grounds of 'conservatism'. However, while the allegations brought the spotlight back on the system,
the efforts to link madrasas to modern educational system has, in general, found opposition from community scholars for the fear that such a move will ensure madrasas lose their independence.
A meeting was held on Monday to discuss the modalities of the scheme that will affect more than two lakh students of madrasas across the state. As part of the scheme, the government will ensure systematic improvement in the infrastructure of residential madrasas, living facilities and educational methods being adopted at madrasas in every district. The scheme will be drawn on the lines of similar projects introduced by the Centre. The state will hold a video-conference of various religious heads and scholars before finalizing it.
"Madrasa education is limited to religious scripts and teachings of Islam. However, there are some madrasas (such as Darul-uloom at Deobund) that have been at the forefront in introducing modern curriculum and education. If this could be emulated elsewhere, lakhs of children can be pulled into the mainstream society and system," said chief secretary J K Banthia.
The government will also carry out registration drives for madrasas as several operate without government verification or accreditation. This, officials said, could be out of fear of losing their autonomy to state authorities.
Muslim scholars welcomed the move but said the government must ensure that it did not interfere in the management. "If they want to teach modern languages and computer studies, we have no problem. But they should assure us they will not touch our curriculum. As it is, we are answerable to tax authorities and the charity commissioner," said Maulana Sayed Ather Ali, member of Muslim Personal Law Board.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-12/mumbai/37058191_1_madrasa-education-mainstream-education-system-muslim-personal-law-board
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