Uttarakhand madrassas to teach Ramayan

DEHRADUN: Madrassas under Uttarakhand Waqf Board will introduce teachings from the Ramayan along with Sanskrit into their curriculum from the next academic session, which will start in March or April. Ex-defence personnel will also be recruited as physical education instructors to ensure students’ fitness and discipline.

The initiative aims to “modernise education, provide broader learning opportunities, and foster a sense of nationalism”. The Waqf Board plans to modernise eight to 10 madrassas by end of the year, merging smaller madrassas into central facilities located in optimal areas. “This will streamline administration and allow us to use vacant properties to increase income,” said Shadab Shams, chairperson of state Waqf Board.

The new syllabus will initially be implemented in four madrassas in Dehradun, Haridwar, Nainital, and Udham Singh Nagar districts, with plans to extend it to the remaining 113 madrassas under the Waqf Board after recruiting teachers. Currently, there are 419 registered madrassas in Uttarakhand, of which 117 are managed by Waqf Board.

The first model madrassa in Muslim Colony, Dehradun, is in the final stages of its upgrade.