The Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Modern Madrasa in Dehradun stands as the first institution to implement this model. Developed at a cost of ₹50 lakh, the madrasa is equipped with modern facilities, including smart classrooms and computer labs. Students will study the National Council of Educational Research and Training syllabus during morning sessions, covering subjects like Hindi, English, mathematics, and science. Evenings will be reserved for religious education, allowing students to choose between studying the Quran, teachings of Prophet Muhammad, or texts related to Lord Ram.
Uttarakhand Waqf Board Chairman Shadab Shams emphasized the importance of providing equal educational opportunities to all children. He stated that the board plans to modernize eight to ten madarsas by the end of the year, consolidating smaller institutions into central facilities to streamline management and utilize vacant properties effectively. The board will offer free education, uniforms, and books to students in these modernized madarsas.
In a move to promote physical fitness and patriotism, ex-army personnel will be recruited as physical education instructors. Additionally, Sanskrit teachers will be appointed to support the inclusion of the language as an optional subject. Currently, there are 419 registered madarsas in Uttarakhand, with the Waqf Board overseeing 117 of them.
The introduction of the NCERT curriculum has already shown promising results, with madarsa students achieving a pass rate exceeding 96 percent. The board believes that incorporating Sanskrit will further enhance students' educational growth and provide them with broader academic opportunities.
The initiative aligns with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami's vision to integrate madarsa students into mainstream education. The Uttarakhand Madrasa Education Board is preparing a formal proposal to introduce Sanskrit as a mandatory subject in 416 madarsas, aiming to promote holistic development among students. Discussions are underway to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the state's Sanskrit department to facilitate this addition.