Minority affairs min pledges support for unaided madrasas

Kolkata: Minority affairs and madrasa education minister and tribal development minister Kshudiram Tudu on Wednesday assured support for students and teachers of unaided madrasas, saying the state govt would examine extending welfare benefits, improving assistance to students and increasing the remuneration of the teachers.Speaking at a seminar organised by the Madrasa Oikya Mancha at Mahajati Sadan, Tudu said “madrasas made significant contributions to society” and stressed the need to combine traditional religious education with modern subjects such as science, information technology and languages.The minister’s remarks stood in contrast to criticism of madrasas voiced by some BJP leaders in the past. Rather than questioning the role of these institutions, Tudu argued that govt-recognised madrasas were performing well and that efforts should now focus on extending support to the unaided sector.This is also the first occasion an elected representative and a minister of the newly elected BJP govt attended a programme organised by a minority community body.Addressing teachers, madrasa management representatives and education stakeholders, Tudu praised the role played by madrasas in education and social development while assuring participants that the concerns of unaided institutions would receive the govt’s attention.The minister said he will speak to the govt on providing shoes, bags and mid-day meals to the students who receive only books and exercise books currently. In addition, steps would be taken to expand scholarships and other welfare facilities for students. He also said the govt will review the remuneration of the teachers who receive between Rs 6,000 and Rs 14,000 depending on their qualifications.Sheikh Jawed Miandad, president of the Madrasa Oikya Mancha, said: “The minister assured us that he would take steps to ensure the students and the teachers of unaided madrasas receive benefits.”