The Uttarakhand Madrasa Education Board (UMEB) is set to make Sanskrit a mandatory subject in madrassas across the state. A formal proposal has been prepared to implement this initiative, which, if approved, will see Sanskrit taught to students from classes 5 to 8 starting from the next academic session, according to reports from Times of India.
Currently, UMEB offers Arabic in madrassas and recognizes the importance of introducing Sanskrit as both languages are considered ancient and integral to cultural education. Waqf Board Chairperson Shadab Shams emphasized the need for students to learn both languages, stating that this initiative would enrich their educational experience.
To facilitate the integration of Sanskrit into the madrasa curriculum, UMEB plans to establish a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state’s Sanskrit department. In addition to Sanskrit, the board aims to introduce computer studies into the syllabus, further modernizing education in these institutions.
Mufti Shamoon Qasmi, the board chairperson, revealed that several meetings have already taken place with officials from the Sanskrit department, and they are currently awaiting approval to proceed. Once the green light is given, madrassas will begin the process of hiring qualified Sanskrit teachers.
UMEB is also focused on transforming all 117 madrassas registered under its purview into model institutions. Shams noted that the board has reached out to ex-servicemen to help instill a sense of nationalism among students. Currently, there are around 1,000 madrassas in Uttarakhand, and as more institutions register with UMEB, the plan is to upgrade them further.
Earlier this year, the Uttarakhand Waqf Board introduced the Ramayana into the madrasa syllabus, with initial implementation planned for four madrassas in Dehradun, Haridwar, Nainital, and Udham Singh Nagar from the 2024 academic session. Following this pilot, the Ramayana will be introduced to the remaining 113 madrassas, with principals appointed to oversee the recruitment of teachers for this subject.
