NCPCR urges closure of madrasa boards, calls for formal schooling

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has recommended the closure of madrasa boards and the withdrawal of state funding for madrasas across India. In a letter sent to all states and Union territories, the NCPCR has urged that children currently attending madrasas be enrolled in formal schools instead.

The commission has argued that the education provided by madrasas is inadequate and does not meet the standards set by the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009.

This stance was reiterated in a written submission to the Supreme Court, where the NCPCR emphasized that religious institutions like madrasas are exempt from the RTE Act, leading to the exclusion of children from the formal education system.

NCPCR's submission

The NCPCR’s submission came during hearings related to the Allahabad High Court’s decision declaring the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasa Education Act, 2004, as unconstitutional, citing violations of secularism and fundamental rights under Article 14 of the Constitution.

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The letter led to a range of reactions from political parties. The Congress reserved its comments until further review, while Karnataka Cabinet minister Priyank Kharge slammed the recommendation, arguing that the commission should offer solutions instead of calling for funding cuts and closures. He pointed out the contradiction between the NCPCR's recommendation and Maharashtra’s recent decision to increase madrasa teachers' salaries.

Concerns over education quality

In contrast, BJP ally Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) spokesperson AK Bajpayee suggested that madrasas operating illegally should be shut down but stressed the need for a thorough survey before any action is taken. Samajwadi Party MP Anand Bhadauriya accused the letter of being politically motivated, aimed at fostering division and hatred.

The NCPCR's letter also pointed out concerns over the quality of education in madrasas, claiming that many lack qualified teachers and use outdated methods focused on religious instruction.

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The commission argued that madrasas do not adhere to RTE Act standards, such as the prescribed curriculum, teacher qualifications, and pupil-teacher ratios, and deprive students of benefits like midday meals, books, and uniforms provided in regular schools.

Also, the NCPCR claimed that madrasas violate the secular principles of the Constitution by providing religious education to non-Muslim students. The letter recommended that non-Muslim children be removed from madrasas and placed in formal schools and urged state governments to take swift action to ensure compliance.

Legitimacy questioned

Along with the letter, the NCPCR shared a report titled Guardians of Faith or Oppressors of Rights: Constitutional Rights of Children vs Madrasas, which details these concerns.

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The report also questioned the legitimacy of madrasa boards, arguing that their curricula often include objectionable content, citing examples from the Bihar Madrasa Board, which allegedly uses textbooks published in Pakistan.

The NCPCR has called for inspections of madrasas and withdrawal of recognition for those that do not comply with RTE norms.