Historic Shift: Madrasa Board abolished as Minority Education Act takes effect in Uttarakhand
Dehradun, July 1: The Uttarakhand Minority Education Authority (USAME) came into effect in Uttarakhand on Wednesday. With this, the Uttarakhand Madrasa Education Board Act and the non-governmental Arabic-Persian Madrasa Recognition Rules were abolished. Under the new system, all minority educational institutions, including the state’s 452 registered madrasas, will be required to obtain accreditation in accordance with the prescribed regulations.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami wrote in a post released on Wednesday that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government is committed to building a modern, transparent, quality, and accountable education system. He said that the new system will ensure a uniform and transparent accreditation system for all minority educational institutions and strengthen the quality and accountability of education. He said that the government’s aim is to empower the state’s children with modern education, science, technology, skill development, and Indian values, so that they can play an effective role in building a developed Uttarakhand and a developed India.
Under the new system, the state’s 452 registered madrasas will first have to obtain affiliation from the Uttarakhand Board of School Education, after which they will be granted recognition from the Minority Education Authority. Each recognition will be valid for three academic years. The authority will also have the power to inspect institutions and revoke recognition after a hearing if they find violations.
According to the state government, the new system will apply equally to minority educational institutions belonging to Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, and Parsi communities. Institutions will have to submit the required documents and fees along with an online application on the designated portal.
Dr Parag Madhukar Dhakate, Special Secretary of the Minority Welfare Department, stated that the authority has begun accreditation work under the new system on July 1st. He added that Uttarakhand is the first state in the country to implement such a system. He said that under the new system, minority educational institution recognition certificates will be distributed at a ceremony held at the Chief Minister’s residence on Wednesday afternoon. Nine minority educational institutions will be granted recognition, including one Jain, one Sikh, and seven madrasas.
