Adhikari govt starts review of Madrasas in West Bengal

Kolkata: The Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari-led West Bengal government has started a review of all Madrasas in the state and had directed all the district magistrates to send comprehensive reports on Madrasas in their respective districts to the state secretariat of Nabanna by July 5.

The West Bengal Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department had also issued a notification on this count and in that notification, it had been claimed that the review of the Madrasas throughout the state is an administrative exercise.

In the notification, the district magistrates have been asked to provide relevant details of the Madrasas in their respective districts, like the day of foundation of the Madrasas concerned; whether it is registered with the West Bengal Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department or not; detail of the registration; details of the students studying there and the teaching and non-teaching staff attached to them.

The district magistrates will also have to mention in their reports whether the Madrasa is residential or privately aided and the curriculum offered there.

In the order it had been explained that accumulation of such information was necessary so that future plans can be made regarding education in Madrasas and what steps could be taken for the benefit of the students studying there.

This report, according to the notification, will also help the state government to know whether any irregularities or illegal activities were going on in the Madrasas in West Bengal.

“Appropriate action will be taken if irregularities are found. However, based on this information, no action will be taken to stop the studies in the Madrasas or lay off the students. The studies will continue as they are going on in the Madrasas,” said an official from the department, who refused to be named.

To recall, last month, the West Bengal Directorate of Madrasah Education issued a notification making the full rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’ mandatory during assembly prayers before classes in all government-aided and recognised Madrasas across the state, with immediate effect.

“I am directed to order that, in supersession of all previous orders and practices, singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ during assembly prayers prior to the commencement of classes is hereby made mandatory in all Madrasahs (Govt. Model Madrasahs (English Medium) / Recognised Govt. Aided Madrasahs / Approved MSKs / Approved SSKs / Recognised Unaided Madrasahs) under the Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department across the state of West Bengal with immediate effect. This order is issued with the approval of the competent authority,” read the order issued by the Director of Madrasah Education, West Bengal.

IANS