Rehan Ansari for BeyondHeadlines
Dr. Mahmoodur Rahman Committee formed to study the Educational, economical and social condition of Muslims in Maharashtra has submitted its report to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Prithviraj Chauhan.
Glimpses of the report will be published in a series on this website. This part is related to the recommendations about education.
The group noted that there is a desire in the community for formal education. It recognizes that a large number of community members drop out at the secondary and higher secondary level. It observed the dilapidated condition of Municipal schools, Came down heavily on the bias content of school text books. Also concluded that the quality of the existing schools in Muslim concentrated areas is reprehensible and in no way the schools have the capacity to allow the talent to blossom. It also dealt with Modernization of Madarsa and addressed the issue of Ismail Yusuf College.
1- On the long pending demand of Ismail Yusuf College, report said, “Many Muslims, individual and organization demanded the management of Ismail Yusuf College, situated in Mumbai.” It also observes that, “the original land has got reduced due to construction of roads and railway track.
Committee recommends the handing over of the Management of Ismail Yusuf College to the Anjuman-e-Islam or alternatively to a new management committee, like the Mills at Dadar was handed over for the Ambedkar Memorial to meet public demand.
2- Report came down heavily on the bias approach in the text books of schools and recommends the secularization of content. It states, “Periodisation of History is often done on religious lines, showing Muslims as aggressors. However these are myths and fallacies of deliberate creation and need to be overcome through secularizing the content of school text books and making them reflective of unbiased facts.”
3- Committee noted that, “In Muslim concentrated areas the quality of the existing schools is reprehensible and in no way the schools have the capacity to allow the talent to blossom.” Therefore, it recommends of “remodeling and reconstructions of one or two schools with the full government support that can be made a residential school.”
4- Increase in the number of Scholarships and freeships to Muslims. Community centers at the grass root level to disseminate the information about the scholarships and the relaxation in the requirements of documents are recommended.
5- Recognizing the facts that very smaller number of Muslim students study in Madarsa, the report recommends establishment of Madarsa Board that will facilitate higher education for the Madarsa students.
Noting the fact that Modernization of Madarsa can’t replace formal education, the report suggests a department with the eminent Muslim scholars to develop the text books for registered Madarsa. Also recommends the introduction of ITI like technical courses in the Madarsa.
6- Since many Muslim Girls opt out due to the unavailability of schools. Also recognizes the discrimination against Muslim in residential society therefore government must open more secondary schools, colleges and residential schools and colleges in Muslim concentrated areas.
7- The report suggests establishing quality educational institutions in Minority Concentrated areas. “Extra FSI, registration and land must be provided to the educational institution with the mandate of providing admission to the Muslims.”
8- To improve Quality of Education and infrastructure Dr. Mahmoodur Rahman Committee Report suggests Public Private Partnerships. It says, “The Need of the hour is to tap the private initiatives at community, corporate and NGO levels.”
9- Strengthening education of Muslims at upper primary and secondary level and intensive campaign in Muslim dominated areas to get kids into the schools is suggested.
10- Greater state’s support to the Muslim Educational Institutions and solve their problems is recommended.
11- It recommends introducing Urdu as third language in non Urdu medium schools situated in Muslim populated areas.
12- It recommends to Introduce Urdu Pre-School classes in government runs schools to encourage the community for education from early age.
13- Committee observed the facts that Muslims mainly in urban areas live in the one room houses. It recommended that the government must set up reading rooms and libraries in the Muslim dominated areas. The information and career counseling centers can also be added in these facilities.
14- On the critical and dilapidated condition of Municipal schools, committee recommended special liberal grant for the upgradation of these schools.
Related Story: Dr. Mahmoodur Rahman Committee Recommends 8% Reservation to Muslims in Government Jobs in Maharashtra
