The state government is all set to regulate functioning of Madrasas (religious schools) operating across Jammu and Kashmir. The school education department has drafted legislation, J&K State Board of Madrasa Education Act, 2018, which would pave way for the government to control functioning of these institutions. An official said the draft bill has been submitted to the government for approval before the department seeks approval from state legislature for its implementation. Under the proposed Act the government would constitute two Madrasa boards, one each in Kashmir and Jammu, to control functioning of around 300 Madrasas, including those affiliated with state Waqf Board. A renowned Muslim educationist in the field of “traditional Madrasa education”, to be nominated by the state government, would be appointed as chairperson of each board while as directors of school education in Kashmir and Jammu will be vice chairpersons of the respective boards. Director academic J&K Board of School Education (BOSE), two prominent educationists from the state having background of Arabic or Persian, one representative of National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT), one Science/Tibb teacher of an institution, nominated by the government, will be members of each board. The chairperson and a member, other than ex-officio member shall hold office for a term of three years, reads the draft bill, prepared by school education department. The Ulema (religious scholars) have however apprehension that “interference” by government would disempower these religious institutions and make them “victim of government’s corrupt practices”. “We know how government interference deteriorated those religious institutions which are affiliated with Waqf,” said Maulana Rehmatullah of Darul uloom Raheemiya Bandipora. He said giving authorization to the boards to take control of accounts in these Madrasas will lead to “malpractice in utilisation of funds donated by people towards these institutions”. “In private sector funds are judiciously utilised which is not the case in government sector. We can gauge it from functioning of government schools where crores of rupees are wasted spent without achieving any result,” he said. As per the draft bill the Madrasa board would be authorized to approve text-books and instructional material for Tahtania, Fauquania, Munshi, Maulavi, Alim, Kamil, Fazil and other courses. These boards will also prescribe course books and instruction material of courses of Arabia, Urdu and Pharsi for classes. Some Ulema whom Greater Kashmir spoke to termed the move as “direct interference” in functioning and working of these religious institutions. “Our religious institutions are getting empowered while working independently but the move by the government to take control of them will prove disastrous,” said an A’lim. The Madrasa board would take over role of granting degrees, diplomas and other academic awards to students of these institutes. The Board would also decide on other functions like conduct of examinations of Munshi, Maulavi, Alim and of Kamil and Fazil courses, charging fee and declaration of results. “These boards will be periodically submitting views to the state government on any matter including schedules of new demands proposed to be included in the budget,” reads the bill. The board will have powers to reject recognition to any Madrasa if it does not fulfil standards for staff, equipment or buildings or if the Madrasa doesn’t abide by “conditions of recognition”. It will also have powers to regulate number of students admitted to a course. “The decision of the board in all matters shall be final,” reads the bill. The board may, with prior approval of the state government, recognize any institution in any new subject or group of subjects for a higher class. The board will have powers to maintain accounts and other relevant records besides preparing an annual statement of accounts as specified by the state government.
Govt to regulate functioning of Madrasas in JK
