Sanskrit to Become Mandatory in 416 Uttarakhand Madrasas

The Uttarakhand Madrasa Education Board (UMEB) has proposed making Sanskrit a compulsory subject in 416 madrassas across the state. This initiative aims to enhance the educational curriculum and support the academic growth of students. The board plans to formalize this change by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state’s Sanskrit department.

Compulsory Sanskrit Proposal

• The UMEB plans to introduce Sanskrit as a mandatory subject in 416 madrassas, impacting over 70,000 students.
• A formal proposal has been drafted, and discussions with the Sanskrit department are underway.

MoU

• To implement this initiative, the UMEB intends to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state’s Sanskrit department, facilitating collaboration and resources.

Integration of Computer Studies

• In addition to Sanskrit, the board is also considering the incorporation of computer studies into the madrassa curriculum to enrich students’ learning experiences.

Positive Educational Outcomes

• The introduction of the NCERT syllabus in madrassas has resulted in over 95% student success this year, indicating the effectiveness of updated curricula.
• UMEB chairperson Mufti Shamoon Qasmi believes adding Sanskrit will further enhance educational growth and success.

Recruitment of Sanskrit Teachers

• Once government approval is secured, madrassas will begin recruiting qualified Sanskrit teachers to implement the new curriculum.

Current Language Offerings

• Arabic is already being taught in over 100 madrassas, and the integration of both Arabic and Sanskrit classes is expected to foster a diverse linguistic environment for students.

Transformation of Madrassas

• Waqf board chairperson Shadab Shams aims to transform all 117 madrassas registered with the board into model institutions, promoting national values and modern education.
• Plans are in place to engage ex-servicemen to instill a sense of nationalism among students.

Future Growth

• With approximately 1,000 madrassas in Uttarakhand and more applying for registration, the UMEB anticipates significant growth in the madrassa network and educational opportunities.