The Uttarakhand Waqf Board has announced its intention to incorporate Sanskrit into the curriculum of madrassas registered under its jurisdiction. Shadab Shams, the chairman of the board, emphasized the importance of providing children with a well-rounded education that extends beyond the traditional confines of madrasa teachings. He expressed his belief that this move would better prepare students to face the challenges of the modern world and enable them to draw inspiration from iconic figures like APJ Abdul Kalam. Chairman Shadab Shams further revealed that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has pledged his support for the necessary steps to educate these children.
Shadab Shams, in a statement to news agency ANI, asserted, “If Sanskrit is not taught in Devbhoomi, Uttarakhand, then where else should it be taught? Students should possess knowledge of various languages and cultures. The scope of education in madrassas should be broad and inclusive. Muslim children have every right to explore a diverse range of subjects.”
In discussing the modernization of the madrassa education system, Shadab Shams outlined plans to blend scientific education with Islamic studies. He elaborated, “The Uttarakhand Waqf Board has decided to implement the NCERT syllabus in the 117 madrassas under its purview, which includes Sanskrit. Just as our children learn Hindi, English, Mathematics, Science, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Arabic, they can now add Sanskrit to their repertoire.”
Shams continued, “The chief minister’s commitment to supporting the education of these children is unwavering. He is dedicated to following in the footsteps of the great visionary, APJ Abdul Kalam. We are moving forward with optimism and a proactive approach to education.”
