DSEK constitutes committee to prepare draft proposal to establish Madrasa Board in J&K

Srinagar, Jan 2: The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has constituted a four-member team to prepare a draft proposal for the establishment of the Madrasa Board in J&K.

As per the order issued by the DSEK, sanction has been accorded to the establishment of a Draft Committee that would prepare a comprehensive draft proposal regarding the establishment of the Madrasa Board in J&K.

“The four-member committee will meet in the Directorate from January 3 to 7, 2024, and submit their recommendations to the Director School Education Kashmir by or before January 10, 2024,” the DSEK order reads.

The four-member committee comprises Principal, Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS), Nowgam, Bandipora, Khursheed Ahmad Bhat, senior lecturer Government Boys Higher Secondary School (GBHSS), Zadibal, Srinagar, Shakeel Ahmad Khan, senior lecturer GBHSS Mujgund, Srinagar, Muhammad Shafi Wani, and Coordinator CEW Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK), Nazir Ahmad Motta who is also in-charge Madrasas in Kashmir.

A copy of the DSEK has been sent to Chief Education Officer (CEO) Bandipora and Srinagar for information and necessary action.

An official said that the Centre has been releasing funds of crores of rupees under the erstwhile SSA scheme for Madrasas to provide formal education to the children in addition to the religious education imparted to these children at Madrasas.

The official said that the scheme- Alternative Innovative Education (AIE) was a component of SSA since 2002 wherein the Centre decided to provide financial support to the Madrasas with the condition that they would impart formal education to the children apart from religious teachings.

“The motive was to reach out to the out-of-school children or never enrolled children who discontinue formal schooling and join Madrasas. But none of the Madarasa agreed to it,” the official said.

He said that the Education Department advertised many notifications that each student in Madrasa would be provided financial assistance of Rs 600 per year under the AIE component of SSA in separate accounts of the students which would be audited annually.

“The management of Madrasa was told to hire a teacher on a volunteer basis to impart formal education to these children. It was decided that there would be no interference from the Education Department in the official matters of the management. But the things did not materialise,” the official said.

He said that the provision of financial assistance is available under the existing Samagra Shiksha scheme but the funds lapsed every year as no Madrasa agrees with the department to get the funds and impart formal education to the children.

The School Education Department (SED) in 2028 drafted the legislation, J&K State Board of Madrasa Education Act, 2018, to pave the way for the government to control the functioning of these institutions.

The bill was submitted to the government for approval before the department sought approval from the state legislature for its implementation.

Under the proposed act, the government had planned to constitute two Madrasa boards, one each in Kashmir and Jammu, to control the functioning of around 300 Madrasas, including those affiliated with the erstwhile State Waqf Board.

It was decided that a renowned Muslim educationist in the field of “traditional Madrasa education”, would be nominated by the State government and appointed as chairperson of each board while Directors of School Education in Kashmir and Jammu would be vice chairpersons of the respective boards.

As per the legislation, the board would enjoy powers to reject recognition to any Madrasa if it does not fulfill standards for staff, equipment or buildings, or if the Madrasa doesn’t abide by “conditions of recognition”.

The government had decided that the Madrasa board would take over the role of granting degrees, diplomas, and other awards and would also decide on other functions like conducting examinations for different courses, charging fees, and declaring results.

However, the issue was shelved by the department for reasons unknown.