Now modern education in madrassas

Agencies

New Delhi: Islamic seminaries will now be able to provide vocational training and education in modern subjects like maths and science to students under a new government scheme for madrassas.

The Scheme for Providing Quality Education in Madarasa (SPQEM) was launched by HRD Minister Arjun Singh here on Thursday.

Under the scheme, madrassas will be provided linkage with the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) which will give certificates to students pursuing education at these centres.

Besides, the scheme will have provision for teachers' training and strengthening State Madrassa Boards.

The scheme will provide funds to madrassas and maktabs to introduce modern subjects like Science, Mathematics, Social Studies, Hindi and English in their curriculum. However, the process of modernisation of traditional madrassas and maktabs will be voluntary.

Maktabs, madrassas or Dar-ul-Ulooms can opt to become accredited study centres with the NIOS for primary and middle levels of education, officials said.

Singh said SPQEM will bring about a qualitative change in the education being imparted through madrassas and maktabs.

This will bring them into the mainstream of national education system.

The scheme was started after an expert committee of the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions suggested that madrassas be provided a linkage with the NIOS to provide for certification of academic levels, officials said.

The scheme envisages an expenditure of about Rs 325 crore in the XIth Plan.

The scheme will also strengthen State Madrassa Board opting for assistance by enabling them to monitor the madrassa modernisation programme and enhance awareness about education among the Muslim community.

Madrassas which have been in existence at least for three years and registered under Central or State Government Acts or Madrassa Board or with Wakf Boards or NIOS shall be eligible to apply for assistance under this programme. The financial assistance will be given yearly under the scheme through the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations in whose jurisdiction the institution is situated.