'Shut down madrasas, no more govt funding'; Child rights panel with decision

NEW DELHI: Despite strong protests from opposition and minority organizations, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights recommended states shut down madrasas and madrasa boards in the country and stop government funding.

The commission demanded that the children in Madrasas be admitted to schools and cited the continuing system as a denial of proper education to children. This request has been made to the chief secretaries of the states and the administrators of the Union Territories.

In an appeal filed by minority organizations in the Supreme Court against the Allahabad High Court's repeal of the Madrasa Education Act in Uttar Pradesh, the Child Rights Commission defended the verdict. The commission argued that the children were denied proper education through madrasa scheme while a dearth of trained teachers was also alleged.

The Supreme Court has stayed the High Court verdict. Commission Chairperson Priyank Kanoongo stated that the recommendation is based on a report prepared after nine years of comprehensive study.

Article 21A of the Constitution and the Right to Education Act, of 2009 ensure free and compulsory education for children up to the age of 14 years. Articles 29 and 30 guarantee educational rights of minorities. However, the commission's assessment found that formal education is being denied to children in madrasas by milking minority rights.

If the state government fail to implement the decision, the commission will move to court. There are three types of madrasas in the country, which are recognized, unrecognized and unmapped. NDA ally LJP came out against the decision.

Priyank Kanoongo also lashed out at the Kerala government for lying that no active madrasas were functioning in the state. A welfare fund has been set up for madrasa teachers. There is also a newspaper report that the teacher and the madrasa board each deposit Rs 50 per month. 23,809 madrasa teachers are members of the welfare fund. Kanoongo also pointed out the recurring incident of children getting molested in madrasas.