The Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasa Education Act, 2004 was enacted to establish and regulate the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasa Education. The main goal of this act is to standardize, modernize, and oversee the functioning of madrasa education (Islamic schools) in Uttar Pradesh (UP). Through this act, the state government aimed to bring madrasas under a regulatory framework while preserving their religious teachings.

Key Features of the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasa Education Act, 2004:

1. Establishment of the Board:
   • The act created the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasa Education as an autonomous body responsible for regulating and supervising the madrasa system.
   • The Board is tasked with ensuring that madrasa education adheres to a prescribed syllabus while maintaining Islamic traditions.
2. Functions and Powers of the Board:
   • The Board is responsible for designing syllabi and conducting examinations for madrasas affiliated with it.
   • It oversees the curriculum, which includes both religious education (Quran, Hadith, Islamic law) and modern subjects like science, mathematics, and social studies to ensure that students receive a balanced education.
   • The Board conducts Kamil (Bachelor’s) and Fazil (Master’s) level examinations, along with other relevant certifications.
3. Recognition and Affiliation:
   • The act outlines the procedure for recognizing and affiliating madrasas with the UP Board of Madrasa Education.
   • It ensures that the affiliated madrasas follow the guidelines and standards set by the Board, including the prescribed curriculum and administrative norms.
4. Financial and Administrative Regulation:
   • The act ensures that madrasas receive necessary financial aid from the state government, subject to compliance with regulations.
   • The Board has the power to audit the financial records of madrasas to ensure transparency and proper utilization of funds.
5. Role in Modernizing Education:
   • One of the act’s primary objectives is to introduce modern subjects in the madrasa curriculum to equip students with the skills needed in contemporary society, without compromising their religious studies.
   • This initiative aims to integrate madrasa graduates into the broader educational and professional landscape.
6. Certification and Equivalence:
   • Under this act, the degrees conferred by madrasas, such as Alim, Kamil, and Fazil, are recognized and considered equivalent to secondary and higher secondary certificates or bachelor’s/master’s degrees from other educational boards in India.
   • This facilitates further studies or employment opportunities for madrasa graduates in mainstream sectors.

Objectives of the Act:

• Regulation and Modernization: To create a regulatory framework for madrasas, ensuring a balanced education that includes both Islamic and modern subjects.
• Inclusiveness: To help madrasa graduates integrate better into the mainstream education system and job market.
• Standardization: To standardize the madrasa system in terms of syllabi, examinations, and certification.

Importance:

• The act plays a crucial role in promoting educational reform within the madrasa system in Uttar Pradesh.
• It is part of a broader effort to make madrasa education more relevant and aligned with modern educational standards while preserving the religious core of madrasas.