Waqf and Madrasa Education: The Crisis of Funding

Context

• The central government recently reduced budgetary allocations for madrasa and waqf educational schemes to almost zero.
• This affects efforts to modernize madrasa education and develop waqf properties.
• The move raises concerns over educational disparities among Muslims in India.

Educational Status of Muslims

• Lower literacy rate: 79.5%, below the national average of 80.9%.
• Decline in higher education enrolment: 8% drop in 2020-21 (AISHE report), the highest among SCs, STs, and OBCs.
• High dropout rates: 18.64% of Muslim students drop out at the secondary level, compared to 12.6% national average.
• Gender disparity: Decline in female enrolment and lowest participation in Classes 11 & 12.

Waqf Educational Schemes

• Waqf Boards: Manage properties for religious and charitable purposes.
• Key Schemes:
  • QWBTS – Modernization of waqf properties.
  • SWSVY – Supports urban waqf properties for community welfare.
• Both schemes are implemented by the Central Waqf Council (CWC).

Scheme for Providing Education to Madrasas and Minorities (SPEMM)

• Launched in 2014-15 under the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
• Aims:
  • Modernize madrasa education.
  • Provide financial aid to madrasa teachers.
  • Improve infrastructure and training.
• Funding: Started with ₹194 crore in 2014-15, reduced to zero in 2024-25.

Challenges in Muslim Education

• Declining Funds: Cuts in QWBTS, SWSVY, and SPEMM since 2021.
• Madrassa Closures: Assam government shut down all government-funded madrassas in 2021, converting them into regular schools by 2023.
• Issues in Madrassa Education:
  • Lack of curriculum standardization.
  • Opaque funding and land law violations.
  • Failure to provide a holistic education.

Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024

• Proposes greater central regulation over waqf properties.
• Includes non-Muslim members in waqf boards, reducing Islamic trusts' influence over madrassas.

Way Forward

• Identify and enrol out-of-school Muslim children.
• Increase scholarships and financial aid.
• Enhance vocational training and teacher training.