Madarsa Heads meet to discuss SSA Delhi’s ‘Special Training Centre’ scheme to strengthen the mandate of ‘Education for All’

Delhi - A meeting of Madarsa Heads was convened by Tarraqi I Foundation and The Haji Langa Trust to discuss the SSA Delhi’s public notice inviting Madarsas and Maktabs to apply for implementing the ‘Special Training Centres’ Scheme wherein Madarsas/Maktabs will be supported to identify ‘Drop Out’ and ‘Out of School’ children in their neighbourhood and in running supportive and bridge coaching programmes so as to enroll them in nearby schools. Mr. Amir Abidi, Founder-Director of Tarraqi I Foundation has got the relevant official circular and the guidelines translated into Urdu and convened the meeting of Madarsa Heads to orient them about the scheme. The meeting was held at Madrasa Talim ul Quran, Sec 3, R.K Puram, New Delhi and was chaired by Maulana Mohammad Qasim, Head of the Madarsa Talim ul Quran is also Member, Delhi Wakf Board Mr. Amir Abidi welcoming the gathering said, "The Muslim concentrated areas of Delhi need holistic efforts involving sincere community members, Govt. education officials and Madarsas to work for the education development in the community." In the past he has led many delegations and facilitated meeting between the Chief Minister, Senior Education Officials and the Heads of Madrasas and Community Leaders. He briefed the gathering about the scheme and clarified their queries, encouraging them to proactively seek support and step up the efforts of education. Maulana Mohammad Qasim Sb citing the example of his own Madarsa which is affiliated to NIOS and also is running a NCPUL Centre encouraged the Madarsa Heads to come forward in not just utilizing and applying for such schemes but also implementing it sincerely and professionally creating a benchmark of executing qualitative education amongst the poor sections of the society. Janab Umar Gautam sb. while appreciating the efforts of the organizers in the spread of the awareness about the scheme in the community stressed that it is important that people from different communities and professions work together for strengthening education as that is the base of a just equitable society. Some participants expressed that the attention and effort of the Government departments is found to be halfhearted when it comes to issues pertaining to Muslims specifically citing that even advertisement for a scheme like this was not published in the Newspapers which are popularly read in the target audience. Few were vary that schemes like these get mired in red tape and the actual benefit accrued is very little compared to the efforts that are needed. There were also concerns that many a times such schemes are dropped mid-way and thereby the implication on the commitment to the children when Madarsa is unable to find alternate means to continue what was started. On the other hand there was a lot of enthusiasm and interest in the scheme as well where some said that such schemes have been constantly demanded and is the need of the community. They appreciated this as a step forward and expressed hope that the Government will sincerely support the Madrasas in its implementation and increase the scope in future. Maulana Arif from Jehangirpuri cited his experience of working with Government as well as NGO’s in the past in enrolling and educating numerous ‘Drop Out’ and Out of School’ children. Maulana Qasim while encouraging the Madrasas to take up such schemes also cautioned that along with the benefits also comes responsibilities. Sharing his own experiences he said that working systematically and professionally initially takes a lot of effort but it is important that more and more Madrasas and community organizations develop their capacity and also the scope of work. In the closing remarks Mr. Amir Abidi requested the participants to spread the word and hoped that many institutions will apply. He assured his support and thanked many professionals who have extended their support in assisting the Madrasas in achieving and implementing such schemes successfully. The meeting was well attended by Madarsa Heads and Community leaders from different parts of Delhi such as Maulana Iftekhar Sb (Narela), Maulana A.Z.Khan (Abul Fazal Enclave), Maulana M. Idris (Mehrauli), Maulana Haroon Sadar (Basti Nizamuddin), Maulana Haroon Rahi (Race Course Rd.), Maulana Mohammad Ibrahim (Lado Sarai), Mr. Javed Qureshi ( Turman Gate), Maulana Nasruddin (Mehsapur),Mr. Akbar Ali and Mr. Rizwan Haider (Jehangirpuri), (Press Release)