About 21,000 teachers have not been paid their honorarium for the last 67 months, and it has become a matter of grave concern.
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – The future of over 18,000 madrassas in Uttar Pradesh, along with the livelihoods of more than 21,000 teachers employed in them, hangs in the balance as the state government contemplates shutting down the Madrasa Modernisation Scheme due to lack of funds.
Initiated by the Centre, the scheme faces uncertainty as the Narendra Modi government has reportedly not released the necessary funds for the program. Sources in the state government suggest that the central government, having started the scheme, is not keen on continuing it. In light of this, the state government is contemplating closing the program, leaving the fate of thousands of madrassas and their teachers in jeopardy.
About 21,000 teachers have not been paid their honorarium for the last 67 months, and it has become a matter of grave concern. The central government traditionally contributed 60% of the total amount, with the state government covering the rest. Despite the central government’s failure to release its share, the state government has reportedly fulfilled its financial commitment. However, with reports indicating the Centre’s prevarication on the issue, the state government’s ability to sustain the scheme is now in doubt.
Under the Madrasa Modernisation Scheme, approximately 21,000 teachers were hired to teach subjects such as Hindi, English, mathematics, science, and social studies. Teachers were entitled to receive Rs 6,000 from the central government, with post-graduate teachers receiving Rs 12,000. The state government supplemented these amounts with an additional Rs 2,000 for graduate teachers and Rs 13,000 for post-graduates. The scheme had received central government approval until 2021-22.
Despite the state government’s hopeful contributions until April 2013, the central government’s lack of response has led the state government to reconsider its commitment. The situation has reached a point where the state government plans to disburse the pending honorarium only after obtaining approval from the central government.
Teachers associated with the Madrasa Modernisation Scheme have been expressing their concerns for a significant period, staging protests and submitting memorandam of demands. While the Chairman of the Madrasa Board and teachers’ organisations have approached officials and ministers, there has been no positive progress.
Frustration among teachers has intensified with reports of potential closure of the scheme. Despite a court directive urging the central government to ensure the payment of outstanding honorarium, teachers have not yet been paid their dues, leaving them in a state of uncertainty and distress.
