Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
LUCKNOW – The provincial conference of the All India Teachers Association Madrasa Arabia brought to light a comprehensive 30-point agenda aimed at resolving the challenges faced by madrasas across Uttar Pradesh. Held at the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in the capital city of the state on Wednesday, the conference saw the participation of hundreds of madrasa teachers from various districts.
Minority Welfare Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar assured attendees that their concerns would be addressed promptly.
“We will hold a meeting with the department’s officers within two days to discuss these demands and prepare an actionable plan,” said Rajbhar, emphasising his commitment to fair treatment for madrasa students and staff. He also highlighted the importance of self-reliance within the Muslim community.
Addressing the gathering, Rajbhar appealed to Muslims to take charge of their progress. He remarked, “The Prophet of Islam has spoken of helping the oppressed, but the Muslim community has often supported leaders who failed to uplift them. It is time for Muslims to awaken and secure their constitutional rights, as envisioned by Baba Sahab Bhimrao Ambedkar.”
He further advocated for educational reforms, suggesting a unified national education system. “Just as we discuss ‘One Nation, One Election’, there should also be ‘One Nation, One Education’ to help Muslims integrate into the mainstream and advance,” he said.
Former Chairman of the UP Madrasa Education Board, Dr. Iftikhar Ahmed Javed, criticised the frequent inspections of madrasas, stating that during the past three years, inspections have been carried out by various agencies, yet no report has been released. There seems to be a hidden agenda behind this scrutiny.” He also expressed disappointment over the lack of progress in approving new madrasas despite repeated proposals.
Secondary Teachers Association President Chet Narayan Singh underscored the importance of linking madrasa curricula with universities to improve students’ prospects. “Connecting supplementary madrasa courses to universities is essential for the future of the children,” he said, adding that pay parity for madrasa principals and lecturers with their counterparts in intermediate education was overdue.
General Secretary of the All India Teachers Association Madrasa Arabia, Waheedullah Khan Saeedi, submitted a memorandum detailing key demands, including:
1. Affiliation of advanced-level Arabic and Persian madrasas with Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Language University.
2. Regular payment of salaries to teachers under the Madrasa Mini ITI scheme and recognition of their certificates.
3. Clearance of arrears for teachers under the Madrasa Modernisation Scheme.
4. State government funding to sustain the modernisation initiative, and
5. Abolition of mandatory biometric attendance for madrasa staff.
The conference concluded with Rajbhar reiterating his promise to take immediate steps to address these issues. “No injustice will be allowed, especially to students with excellent grades,” he assured. The event highlighted the urgent need for reforms to ensure madrasas continue to play a vital role in education while addressing their challenges.
The minister’s assurances and the unified voice of madrasa educators underscore the collective push for meaningful change in the sector.
