It is a violation of the Constitution to provide education through madarasas with Govt funding

NCPCR sends notice to the Bihar Government

New Delhi – The apex child rights body ‘The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights’ (NCPCR) has summoned the Bihar chief secretary over an unsatisfactory response to its queries related to mapped and unmapped madarasas in the State. The Chief Secretary Amir Subhani was summoned to appear before the commission on 22nd February to provide point-wise information on its inquiries along with all related documents. NCPCR has intensified its scrutiny of the utilisation of State funds for education in Bihar, focusing on the operations of madarasas. It emphasised the constitutional duty of the State to ensure the provision of education, highlighting the significance of enrolling children in accredited schools as opposed to madarasas. Bihar Government has not been able to give any satisfactory answer as to why Government assistance is being given to madarasas.

1. According to the Commission, every child in the country should be given education as per the Right to Education Act. According to the Constitution, getting primary education is a fundamental right of every child. The Constitution has also said how the Government should provide education to children.

2. The Commission has asked the Bihar Government to submit an affidavit in this regard. The Commission asked how many unregistered madarasas are running in Bihar. Additionally, details such as – Non-Muslim children attending madarasas in Bihar along with the number of Non-Muslim children who have completed the highest level of education in madarasas, how many non-Muslim children have completed their education in madarasas and become maulvis etc. have also been requested.

3. The Commission also issued notices to the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) regarding the syllabus taught in madarasas.

Editorial Perspective

Such an issue of giving notice should not occur when there is a Government of United Janata Dal and BJP in Bihar. The Government should stop giving Government subsidies to madarasas.