ISLAMABAD, 20 August — The government on Saturday promulgated an ordinance aimed at integrating the madrassas (religious schools) into the mainstream educational system. As per the new law the curricula and courses to be taught in madrassas will be approved by the government. The government will carry out inspection of the institutions and monitor their activities. The move aims at reining in the madrassas which have allegedly served as training centers for militants.
President Pervez Musharraf promulgated the ordinance to pave way for the establishment of model educational institutions and ensure that quality education is imparted in madrassas.
The law called “Pakistan Madrasa Education (Establishment and Affiliation of Model Dini Madaris) Board Ordinance, 2001” will provide for standardization and uniformity of curricula and standard of education in madrassas in the country.
The government, however, has not yet notified the date of the enforcement of this new law, though the federal Cabinet had cleared it some months back.
The government under this ordinance will establish a high-level board comprising eminent educationists, several federal secretaries of various ministries and experts.
A fund to be known as Pakistan Madrassa Education Fund would be instituted soon . However, under this ordinance no grant from any international agency shall be accepted without sanction of the federal government.
The board has also been empowered to make rules for all or any matter, including finances, general administration, management of assets and such other matters as may be necessary for giving effect to the provisions of this ordinance for regulating its functions.
The board has also been empowered to reject or grant affiliation on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed. Every madrassa and Darul Uloom affiliated with the board should teach Islamic education as the main component, but it will also teach such subjects of general education as may be prescribed by the board.
