Himanta told the Sivasagar media that since the madrassas will become general schools affiliated with the state boards of education, the students will be able to continue their education. Madrassa teachers and minority student bodies in Assam have opposed the government move, accusing the BJP state government of trying to get “political mileage” by shutting down the madrasahs before the 2021 assembly elections.
“In November, we will convert the madrassas (run by the government) into government general education institutions. No one, including teachers, will lose their job. Only theological themes will be abolished and modern themes will be introduced. These institutions will be known as secondary schools or upper secondary schools and the madrassa name attributed to them will be eliminated, ”Himanta said.
The board examinations at these educational institutions will be conducted by the state boards of education: the Board of Secondary Education, Assam (Seba) and the Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC).
Since the beginning of this month, the state education department has begun transferring teachers from madrassas to general schools. In a letter to the director of secondary education dated October 7, the deputy secretary of the secondary education department SN Das ordered the former to submit a formal proposal on the change of 148 hired madrasa teachers to general schools.
Since then there has been a massive uproar, with opposition parties, madrassa teacher unions and minority student groups condemning the move.
However, Himanta confirmed once again on Friday that the government will not reconsider its decision.
“The madrassas will be closed in November because the state government will no longer spend public money to offer religious education. If someone says they need madrassas, then the government will also have to establish Vedic schools and provide education on the Bible, ”he said.
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