Bihar govt seeks report on madrasa 'banning' girls' admission

Patna, Oct 15:

government has sought a report from Nalanda district authorities on a controversy over a government-affiliated

in the district reportedly banning admission for girls.

"We have sought report on the matter. Suitable action will be initiated after getting the report," Principal Secretary, Education, R K Mahajan told PTI today. The controversy followed media reports that Madrasa Azizia in Biharsharif, district headquarters of Nalanda, issued an order not to enroll girls at different levels. Some girl students protested on Monday against this.

But, Secretary of the Madrasa S N Ashraf, who allegedly passed the order, denied banning education of girls. "Its a false report. I have not issued any order banning admission of girls in the madrasa which came into existence in 1923," Ashraf told PTI.

"About 500 admissions at different levels have been taken in September out of which 286 are girls," he said. District Education Officer Sahjanand said classes for newly admitted girls have been suspended temporarily for want of separate sitting arrangements for girls but old girl students were attending classes normally.

Suitable action will be initiated after getting the report: Bihar govt

Ashraf, who has been appointed by Soghra Wakf Estate Committee, which runs the madrasa, alleged that some vested interest hatched a conspiracy against him after he stopped "fake" admissions and stressed on better management through punctuality of teachers etc.

He said he had suggested separate class rooms and entrance gates for boys and girls. Nalanda District Education Officer Sahjanand said no order banning admission of girls in madrasa has been issued.

The DEO said he found in the madrasa register that girls have been admitted at different levels in September.

Giving details, he said according to the madrasa register, 42 boys took admission in "Vastaniya" (equivalent to upto class VIII) in September but no girls applied.

In "Fauqania" (equivalent to matriculation), 37 boys and 66 girls have taken admission, while in "Maulvi" (equivalent to Intermediate) 37 boys and 84 girls were admitted, the said.

In "Alim" (equivalent to BA) 23 boys and 44 girls have been admitted. Ashraf said that students of the madrasa get benefits of government schemes like free bicycle, uniform and books, food and hostel facilities.

PTI