Union Govt. stops scholarship for madarasa students from Classes 1 to 8

The Centre has stopped granting scholarships to madarasa students across the country from Classes 1 to 8. Madarasa children from Classes 1 to 5 were provided with a scholarship of Rs 1,000, while students from Classes 6 to 8 received the grant depending on their courses.

Central government stops scholarship for madarsa students from Classes 1 to 8 across the country: Details https://t.co/BAXZdvespT

— OpIndia.com (@OpIndia_com) November 29, 2022

In 2021, nearly 5 lakh children of around 16,558 madarasas received Government-sanctioned scholarships.

The decision of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, headed by Union Minister Smriti Irani, to stop scholarships for madarasa students was reportedly taken since the education of students of Classes 1 to 8 is free under the Right to Education Act, and since essential items are given to them. Other essential facilities include mid-day meals and free books.

The Government said this is why only students of Classes 9 and 10 were provided with scholarships, and therefore, only their applications have been forwarded to the concerned department. The Uttar Pradesh Government had on 1^st September announced that it would survey unrecognized madarasas in the State to ascertain information such as details of teachers and students, curriculum, and its affiliation with any non-Government organisation. The survey identified over 7,500 unrecognized madarasas in the State, said State Minority Welfare Minister Dharam Pal Singh in October 2022.

Editorial Viewpoint

• If this be so, then the decision should have come earlier.
• Make the Government officials reimburse the crores of Rupees of public money that has been spent in this manner.