With the government planning to bring children studying in madrasas and Vedic schools under the ambit of the Right to Education Act (RTE), students of religious seminaries might get benefits such as free books and uniforms. Special certificates will also be given to children of migrant labourers studying in schools.
Schools and houses have also been sought to prevent them from dropping out. At a recent meeting of state education secretaries, the problems of students in madrasas and Vedic schools were discussed. They are considered ‘out of school’ as religious seminaries do not come under the RTE ambit.
The meeting was organised following a directive of the Central Advisory Board of Education, and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights had been mandated to formulate the recommendations and send them to the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MoHRD).
Recommendations for special certificates to children of migrant labourers have been sent to MoHRD. “The recommendations seek a convergence between the ministries of HRD and Women and Child Development to address the issues. Special schools and residential facilities for tribal children have also been sought,” sources told The Sunday Standard.
India has about 40,000 madrasas and over 50 Vedic schools. RTE, enacted on August 4, 2009, describes the importance of free and compulsory education for children between six and 14 years. India became one of 135 countries to make education a fundamental right when the Act came into force on April 1, 2010.