NCPCR’s Madrasa Reforms

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) recently recommended reforms for India’s madrasa education system. These proposals aim to ensure that all children, including those in madrasas, receive formal schooling.

The NCPCR raised concerns about how madrasa students are excluded from formal education. To fix this, the commission made several key suggestions, such as removing non-Muslim children from madrasas, stopping state funding to non-compliant madrasas, and integrating formal education under the Right to Education (RTE) Act.

Right to Education and Madarsa Exemptions

The Right to Education Act (RTE), passed in 2009, guarantees free and compulsory schooling for all children aged 6 to 14. However, in 2012, the government made an exemption for minority institutions, including madrasas. This allowed them to focus only on religious education and skip the formal requirements of the RTE Act. While this aimed to preserve religious rights, it also deprived many students of essential educational needs like textbooks, libraries, and trained teachers.

The NCPCR’s recommendations seek to correct this imbalance. The commission argues that children in madrasas, especially non-Muslim children, deserve formal education. Right now, many Hindu children attend madrasas without proper parental consent. NCPCR calls for their immediate withdrawal and enrollment in regular schools as required by the RTE Act. This protects these children from receiving religious education outside their faith, which is a violation of their rights under the Juvenile Justice Act.

Formal Education for Every Child

NCPCR emphasizes that every child, including those from Muslim communities, should receive formal schooling. This includes proper study hours, qualified teachers, and a suitable curriculum for their age. While madrasas can continue offering religious education, it should complement—not replace—formal schooling. The commission also insists that non-compliant madrasas should lose their state funding if they do not follow the RTE Act. Denying children formal schooling robs them of their constitutional right to education.

Additionally, the NCPCR asks states to ensure that Muslim children in both recognized and unrecognized madrasas get formal education in regular schools. This will secure their educational future and equip them with the skills they need to succeed in today’s world.

Stop State Funding for Non-Compliant Madrasa

A major part of the NCPCR’s plan involves cutting state funding to madrasas that don’t meet RTE standards. State resources should support schools providing formal education, not religious instruction. NCPCR believes that funding for religious education should come from the community itself, not the government. This ensures that public funds are used for quality education rather than institutions that fail to meet basic standards.

Moreover, NCPCR has suggested dismantling madrasa boards in states where they serve no real purpose. In cases where madrasas rely on public donations, stricter oversight is necessary to ensure accountability. Public funds should not support systems that deny children their right to safety and formal education.

Protecting Children’s Rights

NCPCR’s report highlights cases of child rights violations in some madrasas, such as physical punishment and child labor. These practices harm the well-being of children in such institutions. The commission has urged stronger monitoring to prevent these abuses and ensure that all madrasas follow child protection laws. The state must ensure that all children, regardless of where they are educated, are safe and well-treated.

Final Thoughts on NCPCR’s Madrasa Recommendations 

NCPCR’s recommendations are a critical step toward reforming madrasa education in India. By ensuring that both Hindu and Muslim children receive formal schooling, the government fulfills its obligation under the RTE Act. These reforms must be implemented soon to protect children’s rights and secure their future. With these changes, India can move toward an education system that treats all children equally and upholds their rights to quality education.