Dehradun: The Uttarakhand Waqf Board is launching the state’s first modern madrasa offering general education under the NCERT curriculum, with Sanskrit as an optional subject alongside Arabic. In an effort to upgrade 419 registered madrasas in Uttarakhand, with 117 being run by the Waqf Board, the state government is set to launch NCERT curriculum.
This first modern madrasa, located in the Muslim Colony near the railway station in Dehradun, has been significantly upgraded with infrastructure improvements, including well-equipped classrooms, furniture, computers, and smart boards.
This institution has been developed at a cost of around Rs 50 lakh
Named as Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Modern Madrasa, this institution has been developed at a cost of around Rs 50 lakh and will start classes in March for the next academic session, as announced by Uttarakhand Waqf Board Chairman Shadab Shams. Around ten other madrasas in the nearby areas will also benefit from this new setup.
General subjects in morning and religious education in evening
The Waqf Board aims to modernize eight to ten madrasas in the state by year-end. Smaller madrasas in surrounding areas will be merged into a central facility for better management. This will enable the Waqf Board to utilize vacant properties for increasing its income. Students in these modernized madrasas will follow the NCERT syllabus for general subjects in the morning and engage in religious education in the evenings, including studies of the Quran, teachings of Prophet Muhammad, or texts related to Lord Ram, based on their choice. Along with this, the board will provide free education, uniforms, and books to students in these upgraded madrasas.
Ex-army personnel to instill a sense of patriotism
For the first time, ex-army personnel will be recruited as physical education instructors to ensure students’ fitness and instill a sense of patriotism. Sanskrit teachers will also be appointed. Currently, there are 419 registered madrasas in Uttarakhand, with 117 being run by the Waqf Board. The focus is on reducing the number of madrasas and ensuring high-quality education.
Arabic and Urdu must also be prioritized in the curriculum
Some members of the Muslim community have opposed this modernization initiative and suggested using the term “school” instead of “madrasa.” A member of the Muslim Seva Sangh in Dehradun, expressed strong concerns regarding the government’s approach to modernizing madrasas. “If the essence of madrasas is altered in the name of modernization, we will challenge it by all means,” he stated. He further commented on the curriculum, saying, “We do not oppose teaching Sanskrit, the world’s oldest language, but Arabic and Urdu must also be prioritized in the curriculum.”
