Madrasas which do not teach primary subjects such as English, Maths and Science would be considered as “non-schools” and children studying in them as “out of school” students, Maharashtra government today said.
“Madrasas are giving students education on religion and not giving them formal education. Our constitution says every child has the right to take formal education, which madrasas do not provide,” State Minorities Affairs Minister Eknath Khadse told PTI.
“If a Hindu or Christian child wants to study in a madrasa, they will not be allowed to study there. Thus, madrasa is not a school but a source of religious education. Thus we have asked them to teach students other subjects as well. Otherwise these madrasas will be considered as non schools,” Khadse said.
He added that Principal Secretary of Minority Affairs department Jayshree Mukherjee has written a letter to Principal Secretary of School Education and Sports Nand Kumar in this regard.
Khadse said the School Education department has planned a survey of students that are not taking formal education on July 4.
“Students who are studying in madrasas that do not provide formal education will be treated as out of school students. Our only aim behind doing this is to ensure that every child of the minority community gets a chance to learn and come into the mainstream, get good paying jobs and have a prosperous future,” Khadse said.
The minister said that out of a total 1,890 registered madrasas in the state, 550 have agreed to teach the four subjects to students.
“We are even ready to pay madrasas for giving students formal education and are ready to provide them teaching staff as well,” Khadse said.