The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), sent notices to the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), seeking explanations regarding their involvement in designing curriculums for madrassas in Bihar.
This move by the NCPCR, the apex child rights body, follows the summoning of the Bihar chief secretary over an unsatisfactory response to its queries related to mapped and unmapped madrasas in the state, reflecting the commission's commitment to ensuring the protection and welfare of children across educational institutions.
In his reply to the child rights body, the official mentioned efforts to modernize the madrassa education system. He cited initiatives such as the development of a comprehensive training module for teachers and the establishment of regional resource centres for ongoing training.
The official also highlighted the implementation of sports programs and a 21st-century skill development initiative for adolescent girls in the Purnia and Kishanganj districts. This initiative was prepared through collaboration between UNICEF and the madrassa board.
The chief secretary emphasized that the curriculum of affiliated madrassas in Bihar integrates elements of mainstream education formulated by esteemed educational bodies such as the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), NCERT and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
In response to these developments, the NCPCR sought clarification from NCERT and UNICEF regarding their roles in designing curriculums for madrassas in Bihar and their involvement in the training of children to become religious leaders, as per the notice issued.