Uttarakhand Scraps Friday Holiday For Madrasas
The decision will affect 206 madrasas, following a directive from the state minority education authority: Reports
DEHRADUN: The Pushkar Singh Dhami government in Uttarakhand has decided to discontinue Friday as the weekly holiday for madrasas recognised by the state education department or seeking recognition, bringing them under the holiday schedule followed by other schools.
The decision will affect 206 madrasas, following a directive from the state minority education authority to the education department to shift their weekly holiday from Friday to Sunday.
Officials said the authority had written to the director general of school education, seeking necessary action. It clarified that madrasas already recognised or seeking recognition must comply with the state's prescribed educational framework, including the weekly holiday schedule.
The move is aimed at bringing madrasa education in line with the state's academic standards and integrating minority students into the mainstream education system.
The education department has so far granted recognition to 76 madrasas, including 44 in Haridwar, 24 in Udham Singh Nagar, six in Dehradun and two in Nainital. Another 114 madrasas have applied for recognition.
According to the authority, more than 30,000 children studying in 206 madrasas have been brought into the mainstream education system. These institutions now follow the state's school curriculum alongside religious education.
Authority chairman Dr Surjit Singh Gandhi said, "Prior to getting recognition from Education Department, madrasas observed their weekly offs on Fridays. It was observed that even after getting recognition from the Education Department and SMEA few of them continued to with their weekly offs on Fridays. Now a letter has been written to the Director General School Education, to stop this."
Director of elementary education Kunwar Singh Rawat warned that institutions failing to comply with the prescribed norms would face action.
"Madrasas have been granted recognition as normal schools in the state. Now they have to abide by the rules applicable to government schools. Action will be taken against them as per law on their failure to comply with the norms," Rawat said.