Why Is Sanskrit Becoming A Must-Have Subject In 416 Uttarakhand Madrassas?

The Uttarakhand Madrasa Education Board (UMEB) is set to implement a significant educational reform by making Sanskrit a compulsory subject in 416 madrassas across the state, as reported by Hindustan Times.

This initiative aims to enrich the academic curriculum for madrassa students and promote a broader understanding of cultural heritage.

To facilitate the introduction of Sanskrit, the UMEB plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the state's Sanskrit department, with ongoing discussions to finalize the details of this collaboration. In addition to Sanskrit, the board is also considering incorporating computer studies into the Madrassa curriculum to further enhance educational offerings.

The UMEB has previously introduced the NCERT syllabus in madrassas, which resulted in an impressive success rate of over 95% among students this year. Mufti Shamoon Qasmi, chairperson of the UMEB, expressed optimism that integrating Sanskrit into the curriculum will significantly contribute to students' educational growth.

Currently, the Uttarakhand Madrasa Board has registered 416 madrassas that collectively cater to over 70,000 students. Furthermore, additional madrassas are in the process of applying for registration, a number that is expected to increase in the coming years, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Once the government approves the initiative, these madrassas will begin recruiting qualified Sanskrit teachers to implement the new curriculum. Over 100 madrassas in Uttarakhand already teach Arabic, and the UMEB believes that the addition of Sanskrit classes, instructed by both maulvis and pandits, will create a more enriching educational environment for students.

Additionally, Waqf Board chairperson Shadab Shams announced plans to transform all 117 madrassas registered with the board into model institutions. Efforts are being made to enlist the help of ex-servicemen to instil a sense of nationalism among students, as per media reports.

With approximately 1,000 madrassas operating in Uttarakhand, the Waqf Board is committed to upgrading and registering more institutions as part of its educational initiatives. This proposed curriculum change represents a progressive step for madrassas in Uttarakhand, aiming to foster a more holistic educational experience for students while embracing cultural and technological advancements.