Assam : Shut down of religious educational institutions historic

All government-funded religious institutions are decided to be closed by the state Cabinet as a “historic move” towards “secularization of education”, said Assam Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday.

The provisions for Madrassas and Sanskrit tols (schools) will be declared as invalid, according to a proposal by the state cabinet on Sunday. Later this month, in the winter session of the Assembly session the legislation will be tabled.

Sarma said on Monday afternoon, “The Cabinet had decided to dissolve the state madrassa board from the date of declaration of the results of the examinations to be held in the academic year 2021-22. The Madrassa board will be merged with the Board of Secondary Education (SEBA) and Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC)”.

No exams of the High Madrassa will be conducted from the academic year 2021-22.

The Minister said, “Academic and administrative authority of the Madrassas will be transferred to the Directorate of secondary education, while the term ‘Madrassa’ will cease to exist from the institutions which will be transformed into regular schools”.

“This is a historic initiative to secularize education in Assam as Madrassas were introduced in the state way back in 1934. The government has now overhauled a system prevalent since the pre-Independence days,” he said.
From pre-Independence days 542 Madrassas, 147 High Madrassas and 97 Sanskrit tols have been operating in Assam.

Ancient Studies University and would provide Diploma and degree courses on Indian history and culture will be provided, and the Sanskrit ‘tols’ in the state will come under the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Sanskrit and Ancient Studies University.

He said,“Assam will be the first state in the country to introduce exclusive diploma and degree courses on Indian civilisation”.

The subject on religious teachings (theological studies) imparted by the High madrassas under SEBA will be excluded after the final exam next year.