By The Sampadak Express
In a recent surprise inspection at the Jamia Gaziya Sayyadul Uloom madrassa in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, authorities found that no class 10 student could write their name in English. This discovery has raised alarms about the quality of education at the seminary, leading to a warning and notice from the authorities.
The inspection, conducted by District Minority Welfare Officer Sanjay Mishra, revealed significant gaps in the students’ English language proficiency. “We asked the class 10 students to write their names and the name of the madrassa in English, but none of them could do it,” Mishra reported. He added that the seminary’s focus was predominantly on Arabic and Persian, with little emphasis on other subjects such as English, Mathematics, and Science.
The madrassa, located in the Badi Takiya area, is a recognized institution with a three-tier academic structure. It offers classes ranging from primary education to intermediate levels. However, the surprise inspection highlighted a concerning trend in attendance as well. Although 15 students were enrolled in class 10, only 10 were present during the inspection. Furthermore, attendance in the Munshi, Maulvi, and Alim classes was notably low compared to the registered numbers.
The authorities have expressed concern that this narrow focus on religious education is affecting the students’ broader academic development. Mishra warned that neglecting to provide a well-rounded education could jeopardize the students’ future prospects. As a result, the madrassa has been instructed to make immediate improvements to its curriculum.
In response, the acting principal of the madrassa, Maulana Shamsuddin, assured that the institution had already begun efforts to address these concerns. He explained that although religious education remained a priority, the madrassa had provisions for teaching English, Hindi, Mathematics, and Science. “We have now started implementing the NCERT curriculum, and we are focusing on all subjects,” he said. “It is important for the children to not only become Alims but also have opportunities in other fields.”
Additionally, Shamsuddin mentioned that the madrassa had recently prepared a timetable for teachers to ensure better coverage of all subjects. He also addressed the issue of low attendance, explaining that the madrassa had enrolled 350 students for the current academic session, with more admissions expected.
The Jamia Gaziya Sayyadul Uloom madrassa is part of a larger network of 301 recognized madrassas in Bahraich, with an additional 495 unrecognized madrassas in the district. The authorities have warned that failure to comply with the directives could lead to strict action against the madrassa management and staff.
The inspection has sparked a broader conversation about the balance between religious and secular education in madrassas, with many emphasizing the need for comprehensive education that prepares students for a variety of future opportunities.
