Samajwadi Party criticises the government for inaction and closure of madrasas
Team Clarion
LUCKNOW — The future of more than 21,000 teachers associated with Uttar Pradesh’s Madrasa Modernisation Scheme is in peril as the central government has decided to shut down the program. The Samajwadi Party has sharply criticised the state government for its refusal to reassign these teachers to other departments, labelling the government as adversarial to the public interests.
The Madrasa Modernisation Scheme was initiated to integrate modern education into traditional madrasas, aiming to improve the educational standards and employment prospects of teachers within these institutions. However, the recent decision to close the scheme has left thousands of teachers unemployed and uncertain about their future.
Samajwadi Party General Secretary Shivpal Singh Yadav has voiced strong opposition to the government’s approach. He accused the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government of failing to utilise the existing budget while simultaneously burdening the public with additional financial pressures through a supplementary budget during the monsoon session of the legislature.
The UP government has come under fire for its stance on madrasas. In an affidavit submitted before the Supreme Court, the state government declared the ongoing funding for aided madrasas as a financial burden. The Supreme Court put a stay on the decision on April 5, 2024, and set a future hearing date, which has yet to occur. Furthermore, the central government halted the Madrasa Modernisation Scheme last year, cutting off 60% of the funding previously received from the Centre, and prohibiting the release of interest funds.
This funding cut has led to a severe employment crisis for the 21,126 teachers who were dependent on the scheme for their livelihoods. Without financial support from the central or state governments, these teachers are left with no means to sustain themselves.
During the monsoon session of the assembly, Samajwadi Party MLA Mehboob Ali questioned the government’s plans for reappointing or adjusting the teachers left unemployed by the scheme’s closure. In response, Minority Welfare and Endowments Cabinet Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar stated that the government has no intention of considering the adjustment of these unemployed madrasa teachers.
Minister Rajbhar faced criticism and embarrassment in the assembly when he struggled to read a government order written in English. His inability to read the text properly prompted laughter among assembly members, highlighting the linguistic challenges faced by some government officials. Rajbhar eventually conceded and promised to distribute copies of the order to all members.
The closure of the Madrasa Modernisation Scheme and the lack of a clear plan for the affected teachers have sparked widespread concern. Many teachers, who dedicated their careers to educating students within the madrasa system, now find themselves without employment or prospects. This situation not only affects the teachers but also the students who rely on their instruction and the broader community that benefits from an educated population.
