The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has recommended a significant move to discontinue funding for Madrasa Boards and suggested their eventual closure. This call was made in a letter addressed to the Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territories by NCPCR Chairman Priyank Kanoongo.
The commission’s recommendation also involves transitioning non-Muslim children currently enrolled in madrasas to mainstream schools in accordance with the Right to Education (RTE) Act of 2009.
The NCPCR's recommendation follows a detailed report on the educational conditions of children from the Muslim community. According to the commission, madrasas are not adequately serving the educational needs of these children, and the goal is to ensure a better future for them through integration into mainstream schooling.
The report, as highlighted by Kanoongo, is seen as a roadmap for ensuring that all children in India are provided with a safe and productive environment. The aim is to empower them to contribute to national development, enhancing their opportunities for growth and progress. The report emphasises that a holistic approach to education will have a more meaningful impact on the nation-building process.
Speaking to the media, Kanoongo said that the commission has studied the situation for the past nine years. It has researched how children, particularly from the Muslim community, are often deprived of formal education due to their involvement with madrasas.
This, he believes, is a violation of their rights under the RTE Act. He pointed out that the report has been sent to state Chief Secretaries, urging them to close down Madrasa Boards, which, according to him, have failed to fulfil their original purpose.
Currently, Kanoongo explained, there are over 1.25 crore children studying in madrasas across the country, with no official connection to Madrasa Boards. These boards, however, continue to receive government funding for approximately 1.9 to 2 million children, including non-Muslim Hindu children, in what Kanoongo called an “illusion” of educational support. He believes that this setup misrepresents the real situation and fails to deliver on the educational needs of these children.
The NCPCR, which was established under the Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act of 2005, is responsible for safeguarding the rights of children across India. Its mandate includes ensuring that children’s basic rights to education, protection, and development are upheld in all parts of the country.
The commission’s recommendation to shut down madrasas has sparked a broader conversation about the role of these institutions in the educational system. While madrasas have historically played a role in providing religious education, concerns have been raised about their alignment with modern educational standards and their ability to offer students the necessary skills and knowledge to compete in the broader workforce.
Proponents of madrasas argue that they fulfil an important role in the community, providing education to children who might otherwise be left out of the formal schooling system.
Critics, however, argue that the focus on religious studies often comes at the expense of a more rounded education that could better prepare children for the future.
The NCPCR’s report highlights the need to bring all children into the mainstream schooling system, ensuring that they receive a well-rounded education that adheres to national standards.
The commission’s call to transfer non-Muslim children from madrasas to regular schools also underscores the concern that these institutions may not be offering the kind of education required to meet the RTE Act’s guidelines.
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