Karnataka minister BC Nagesh seeks report on formal education in madrassas

BENGALURU: BC Nagesh, primary and secondary education minister, has asked officials of his department to provide a report on formal education being provided to students in madrassas.
Nagesh, who attended a Samagra Shikshana Karnataka meeting on Wednesday, said it is mandatory for children who attend madrassas to receive formal education in science and math at nearby schools. "Children who go to madrassas are not getting formal education," Nagesh said. "Parents have demanded formal education in math and science for their wards. But we don't have accurate information on the extent to which students are getting this formal education. We need to know the nature of education provided in madrassas for the sake of the future of these students."
Officials asked to visit madrassas, submit report
He has asked officials to visit madrassas, inspect and report back to the department. "Officials will check whether students are getting education as per the Right to Education Act," he said, adding the RTE Act mandates that the government ensure all children get quality formal education.
Nagesh said there have been complaints that when officials of the education department go to inspect madrassas, those running these informal schools don't cooperate. "We have instructed authorities to visit some madrassas, conduct an inspection and report. Based on the reports, a meeting will be held with education experts and the madrassa managements," the minister said.