It is necessary to make Madrasa registration mandatory and to provide a uniform curriculum in all Madrasas, as well as mainstreaming.
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The previous Madhesh government led by Saroj Kumar Yadav had decided to move the Madrasa Bill through the Council of Ministers. The Yadav-led government had taken a new decision while the bill registered seven years ago was still pending. However, there was opposition to the bill. The opposition continues even after the government itself has collapsed. That is not right. The reason for the opposition to Muslim Madrasas is also not clear. Whereas, Hindus and Muslims have been living in this country as friends of each other.
The hatred expressed in such a country is fatal for the country and its youth. A backward community, most of whose population is poor. The educational level is very low. Opposing the upliftment and progress of that community does not benefit anyone.
Most of the madrasas, which depend on community donations and zakat, are in a pitiful condition, which were previously dismissed by the state as religious matters of Muslims. Madrasas, educational places of the Muslim community, were marginalized by the government's mainstreaming. They remained in the confusion of a concrete body and policy. The state could not even give the name of boarding schools like private schools to madrasas, nor could it fully embrace them as government schools. Rather, they are interpreted controversially depending on the situation. According to the thinking and plans of the extremists, sometimes they were discussed as centers of terrorist activities, sometimes as centers of anti-Hindu activities. But evidence has never been found.
There is also a misconception that only Nepal has madrasas, and that Nepal alone has allowed them. There are madrasas in almost every country in the world. In India, 15 percent of the population is Muslim, which is the second largest religious community. There are more than 24,000 madrasas there. There are separate madrasa boards in 20 states. India is also a secular country like Nepal. Sri Lanka, which has a nine percent Muslim population, also has about two thousand madrasas and colleges. Britain, which has a 6 percent population, also has about two thousand madrasas. There are also some in the United States. That is, where there are Muslims, there are definitely madrasas. In any democratic country, there is no control over the education of any community.
Students who have received education from Nepal's madrasas often go to India for higher Islamic education and skills. A small number also go to Pakistan and Saudi Arabia or other countries. But there is no evaluation of that skill here. Madrasa education is mandatory for Muslims. Religious education is not so mandatory for followers of other religions. It depends on the wishes of the parents and the student himself. But it is mandatory for Muslims. For a Muslim, he must have religious knowledge. The Quran must be read. This book is a guide. Every activity from birth to death should be learned and implemented from there - civilization, eating, drinking, sitting, giving charity, etc. That is why Muslims have also arranged for Madrasas as citizens. Which are supported and approved by the state. In Nepal too, there are Madrasas under the traditional education of the government.
When we say Madrasa, it is understood as a school where Muslims receive religious education. Also, the idea that only religious education is given and should be given in Madrasas is paramount. This is wrong. Both types of education can and are given in Madrasas. There are some big Madrasas, where both types of education are provided.
There have been debates to reform and mainstream Madrasa education. Curricula have also been developed. The Curriculum Development Center has also provided assistance in developing the curriculum. After discussing with religious leaders and government representatives, a curriculum was prepared that included both religious and social aspects under traditional schools. But it could not be brought to the Madrasas. There is a lack of a policy from the state to implement a policy that the preparatory curriculum should be taught in every Madrasa. Therefore, there is a need for a body under whose leadership all the activities of the Madrasa should be carried out systematically. The stability and operation of the Madrasa should be easy. It is not that Madrasa boards have not been formed in the past, but they could not be effective due to party appointments and lack of authority.
Two hundred thousand students receive education in Madrasas in Nepal. There are more than three thousand Madrasas in Nepal. But only about one thousand are listed in the government's statistics. Only registered Madrasas are listed under the government's policy. But those who have actually served education are not counted. Most of the newly built madrasas are registered, using the grants received from the government.
Overall, it is necessary to make madrasa registration mandatory and provide a single curriculum in all madrasas, as well as mainstreaming. The most necessary for that is teacher recruitment. According to the constitution, education is the responsibility of the state. Therefore, the state also needs to pay attention to madrasas. Madrasas should be given a place like government schools. Because, the practice of educating girls in the lower and poor sections of the Muslim community is in its initial stage. There is also a practice of dropping out of classes from 3rd/4th grade. If the educational level does not improve, in the future, Muslim girls and poor Muslim children will be deprived of the right to education. Their situation will remain the same.
