Recent government notifications altering management boards, rehabilitation, and teaching systems have further undermined madrasa autonomy
PATNA — Bihar’s madrasa system, operational for about a century under the Bihar State Madrasa Education Board, is facing a severe crisis, threatening the education of nearly eight lakh Muslim students across thousands of institutions. Despite the Board marking its centenary with pomp, most madrasas struggle with stalled funding, unpaid salaries, and administrative neglect.
Established in 1922 and legally recognised under the 1981 Act, the Board oversees nearly 3,588 madrasas, employing 15,000 teachers and educating eight lakh students. Yet, it continues to operate from a rented building in Patna, while its permanent headquarters, funded at ₹9 crore, remains incomplete—a symbol of prolonged neglect.
Bihar hosts one of India’s largest Urdu-medium networks. According to the 2015 National Gazette, out of 28,276 Urdu-medium schools nationwide, 3,624 are in Bihar, including 2,597 government schools. Of the Board’s madrasas, 1,942 receive government aid. “This number has recently increased to nearly two thousand,” said Mufti Sanaa-ul-Huda Qasmi, Nazim of Wafaq al-Madaris al-Islamia Bihar.
However, 1,646 recognised madrasas receive no grants. “When (Madrasa Education Board chairman) Salim Parvez convened the ‘Centenary Session,’ he promised approvals, but (Chief Minister) Nitish Kumar made no declaration, and nothing has been done for the 600 madrasas whose documents were sent to the Secretariat,” Qasmi explained.
Government policies have recognised religious education but not given it respect, he added. Recent notifications altering management boards, rehabilitation, and teaching systems have further undermined madrasa autonomy.
Teacher shortages and declining academic standards compound the crisis. “For madrasas up to the Maulvi level, three teaching staff manage twelve grades, including one Hafiz. Many teachers start from the bottom after exams, and additional staff are needed for ‘Maulvi Arts,’ ‘Maulvi Commerce,’ and ‘Maulvi Science’” courses, Qasmi said.
In September, teachers and staff protested in districts including Kishanganj, Madhubani, and Sitamarhi, demanding rights, amendments to the Madrasa Rules 2022, revised salaries, allowances, pensions, and payment of long-overdue dues. “Most demands have not progressed. Political parties don’t even mention madrasas in manifestos. Pressure is increasing through silent policies,” said Mohammad Munazir-ul-Islam, spokesperson for MDO Sitamarhi.
A madrasa principal, speaking anonymously, warned of the consequences of neglect: “About fifty madrasas have no teachers and remain locked. Others have only two or three teachers instead of six to eight. While schools receive government facilities, madrasas get nothing, forcing parents to send children elsewhere.”
Corruption worsens the situation. “Annual inquiries often demand ₹1.5–2 lakh even if reports are correct. Bribery and financial corruption are common, causing stress among teachers and diverting attention from education,” the principal added.
