UP govt to revamp Madarsa syllabus, induct NCERT books

In a decision that could trigger controversy, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to revamp the syllabus of madarsas (Islamic seminaries) in the state and introduce NCERT books.

According to government sources, the revamped syllabus would, along with theology, ensure study of English, Mathematics, Social Science and Hindi up to 5th standard.

The syllabus from 6th to 12th standard would also undergo changes, sources said, adding that the objective behind the revamp was to ''modernise'' the madarsa education and enable the students to compete with the students of other schools in the state and country.

Science and arts streams would be introduced at the intermediate level and the students would be taught Physics, Chemistry, geography and political science.

''The state Madarsa Education Board is also studying the syllabus of madarsas in other states with the objective of incorporating their features,'' said an official here on Monday.

The changed syllabus would come into effect from next academic session and would be introduced initially in the madarsas funded by the state government.

Muslim clerics, however, opposed the proposed changes in the syllabus and said that the government must not try to impose anything on the madarsas.

''Madarsas do not have the infrastructure to implement the revamped syllabus,'' said the principal of a madarsa here.

Grant cut

UP government had recently stopped grant of funds to 46 madarsas following detection of irregularities in their management.

The step comes close on the heels of the decision by the state government to act against the madarsas, where national anthem was not sung during the Independence Day celebrations.

Instead of national anthem, the students of many 'madarsas' had sung 'sare jahan se achha Hindustan hamara', penned by the famous Urdu poet Mohammed Iqbal.