TCN News
Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO), conducted a survey of 500 Madarasas covering diverse schools of thought in different states and released the same in Shiksha Samvad, a program which was held yesterday.
The press statement from SIO said, “Madrasas were the cradle of new inventions and new civilization during the middle ages. In our country too the contribution of Madrasa towards educational and political revival cannot be denied. It was the springboard of the freedom movement. It was the abode of intellectuals, poets, writers, and revolutionaries.”
It further said, “While the Madrasas were places of new initiatives and signs of inventions, it is regrettable for having secluded the institutions today as the mere provider of few religious teachings. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration if we say that it has lost its pristine glory and its true status!”
Organized under the banner of “Madarsa Education: Issues and Challenges”, Samvad included Wasi Miya Khan (Darul Uloom Deoband), Kahfulwra Nadwi (Nadwatul Ulama), Naseeruddin (Jamia Salafiya), Kaleem Ahmed (Madrasatul Islah), Musaddiq Mubeen (Al Jamia Al Islamia, Kerala), Abdul Wodud (Madrasa Islahul Muslimeen, West Bengal) as speakers.
The program was organized by SIO in collaboration with CERT and presided by Tauseef Ahmed, National Secretary, SIO of India.
The survey found many Madrasas in relatively good status maintaining quality, diversity, and creativity in education with holistic approaches.
In this survey based on the infrastructure and community participation, teaching environment, innovative activities, faculty, integration of general and religious education those securing 90% and above are graded as A+, those securing 80% and above as A, those securing 70% and above as B+, those securing 60% and above as B and those scoring below 60% is graded as ‘C’.
Further those Madrasas possessing infrastructure like water, good food, playing ground, residential facility, the availability of teaching and non-teaching faculty, clean environment, etc are awarded 60 marks, those Madrasas providing a semblance of general and religious education are awarded 70 marks, apart from which if there are sports equipment, library, computer education and first aid facilities 80 marks are awarded and those having innovative activities, expert faculty, language training, physical education and well-ordained campus 90 marks are awarded.
The report also recommends few action points for the community leaders, Madrasa managements as well as State & Central Government.
The recommendations which SIO has made are
1. To establish a non-governmental Madrasa regulating body constituting all schools thought.
2. A committee to study the infrastructure requirements of Madrasas has to be established.
3. To appoint physical education teachers, providing sports equipment and to ensure sufficient play grounds has to be given prominence. Inter madrasa sports must be encouraged.
4. Arabic learning must be encouraged. Students must be encouraged to speak and converse in Arabic within the campus.
As Arabic attains prominence even in terms of the geopolitical situation of Middle Eastern and African countries including all Muslim countries, the Government must make provision to include Arabic in second and third slots of language selections
Arabic & Islamic studies chair has to be opened in all the Universities.
5. The teaching of mathematics, science, social studies and computer education must be made compulsory in Madrasas.
6. There must be a provision to hold social and cultural functions at Madrasas.
7. Teaching of Hindi and English language to be made compulsory.
8. Graduate trained teachers who are having Religious degrees may be appointed as faculty.
9. To fix a basic salary of minimum Rs. 25000 for the teachers.
Speakers: