UP Govt to Revise Madarsa Act, 2004

• 06 Dec 2024

Why in News?  

Recently, the Uttar Pradesh government is set to revise the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004 excluding higher-level education from its purview and restricting its coverage only to institutions offering education up to Class 12.  

• In an earlier judgment, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the 2004 Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasa Education Law and set aside an Allahabad High Court verdict that had quashed it on the grounds violating the principle of secularism. 

Key Points 

• The revision of the Madarsa Act is part of a broader effort to enhance the quality and oversight of Madarsa education in Uttar Pradesh. 
  • The government aims to improve secondary education in Madrasas by combining religious teachings with a standard secular curriculum. 
• Impact on Higher-Level Religious Degrees: 
  • Under the new amendments, Madrasas will no longer be able to offer higher-level religious degrees like Kamil and Fazil.  
    • These degrees, which have been a part of the madrasa education system, will lose their recognition under the revised Act.      
  • The focus on secondary education is expected to bring about a more standardized approach to madrasa education, ensuring that students receive a balanced education that prepares them for further studies or vocational training. 

Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004 

• The Act aimed to regulate and govern the functioning of madrasas (Islamic educational institutions) in the state of Uttar Pradesh. 
• It provided a framework for the establishment, recognition, curriculum, and administration of madrasas across Uttar Pradesh. 
• Under this Act, the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education was established to oversee and supervise the activities of madrasas in the state.