Uttar Pradesh State PCS

• 09 Apr 2024

UP Government Revokes Licenses for Madrasas

Why in News?

Recently, the Uttar Pradesh government revoked the licences of all 16,000 Madrasas across the state. This decision entails that students enrolled in Madarsas will now be required to seek admission in government-run schools.

Key Points

• On 22 March 2024, the Allahabad High Court declared the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act 2004, unconstitutional.
  • While calling the act violative of the principles of secularism, the Court said that Madarsa education is against the principle of secularism, and the State must make sure that students taking part in religious teachings should be accommodated in the formal education system.
  • However, the Supreme Court stayed the order of the Allahabad High Court.
• The cancellation of Madrasa licences marks a significant shift in the state’s approach towards religious education institutions.
  • The move aims to streamline the education system in Uttar Pradesh and ensure uniformity in the curriculum and standards across all educational institutions.
• It is noteworthy that Uttar Pradesh is home to over 25,000 madrasas, of which approximately 16,500 are officially recognised by the UP Board of Madarsa Education.

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.