National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) chairperson Priyank Kanoongo has clarified his stance on madrassas, emphasising the importance of formal education for Muslim children rather than advocating for the closure of these religious institutions.
Kanoongo expressed concern over the practice of enrolling underprivileged Muslim children into madrassas at the expense of their right to formal education, which he believes limits their future opportunities.
Kanoongo’s comments aim to highlight the need for educational reforms that empower Muslim children, enabling them to demand their rightful place in society and ensuring equality. He pointed out that past education ministers from the Muslim community had discouraged mainstream education, inadvertently marginalising Muslim students and restricting their access to broader academic and professional opportunities.
To address this issue, the NCPCR chairperson suggested a solution: mapping unmapped madrassas and encouraging enrollment of children into formal schooling systems. Kanoongo cited Gujarat’s initiative, which successfully integrated over 50,000 Muslim children into mainstream schools despite facing initial opposition. This model, he believes, could be replicated across other states to provide Muslim children with a well-rounded education and better prospects.
Kanoongo’s call for reform comes against a backdrop of troubling statistics—an estimated 1.2 crore Muslim children are currently out of school, and only around 5% of them pursue higher education. These figures highlight the urgent need for inclusive policies that promote access to quality education for all, regardless of socio-economic or religious background.
The NCPCR chairperson’s statements underscore the commission’s commitment to bridging the educational gap for Muslim students. By promoting formal education alongside religious instruction, Kanoongo hopes to address the systemic biases that have long hindered academic achievements in the Muslim community.
As part of its broader mission, the NCPCR aims to ensure equal educational opportunities for all children, recognizing that education is the key to breaking cycles of poverty and social inequality. By focusing on reforms that prioritise the holistic development of Muslim students, the commission seeks to create a more equitable future for all.