Kodagu (Karnataka): After the moves against madrasas by states like Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, now Karnataka is mulling similar steps which, regardless of the good intentions outwardly stated, will result in sullying the image of 'Arabic' schools in the state.
The initiative has apparently come from the ruling party, the BJP which according to IANS has sought a 'detailed report' on violations by the Arabic schools operating across the state. This was stated by Minister for Education B.C. Nagesh on Friday while interacting with the media in Madikeri. .
Arabic schools operating in the state are not being run as per the rules. There is no proper learning of languages and science, he said.
Since several academicians and others have raised their concerns in this regard, a detailed report has been sought from the Commissioner of the Education department, the Minister stated.
The minister blamed the Arabic schools saying that Arabic education is imparted without following rules. Many are violating the guidelines of the education department which has become evident at the outset, he said.
There are 106 aided and 80 unaided Arabic schools operating in the state. "We will get clarity once the study is done," he said.
About 27,000 children are admitted to Arabic schools every year. There is a huge difference in the statistics on how many are actually joining Arabic schools, Minister Nagesh said.
He also stated that there is an allegation that many Arabic schools are not at all giving importance to teaching Kannada, English, Maths and Science subjects. Education is the right of all children. Because of religion, no child should miss the education, he underlined. To what extent these are specified requirements in the schools so run, was not clear from the Minister's statements.
Sadly, the students who are coming out of madrasas are unable to compete with others academically, he said.
(With IANS input)