Assam: 1,281 Madrasas Get A Makeover, Converted Into Middle English Schools By Himanta Biswa Sarma Govt

In a significant move, the Assam government has transformed and rebranded 1,281 madrasas across the state into Middle English (ME) schools.

Previously functioning with government funds, these madrasas have now been converted into general schools, spanning 21 districts, primarily in the lower Assam region and Barak Valley districts.

State Education Minister Ranoj Pegu announced the development on "X" (formerly Twitter), stating, "Consequent to the conversion of all Govt and Provincialised Madrasa's into general schools under SEBA, @SchoolEdnAssam has changed the names of 1281 ME Madrasas into ME School by a notification today (13 December)", reported The Times Of India.

According to the government order issued by the Directorate of Elementary Education, the nomenclature of upper primary schools, previously known as "ME Madrassa," will now be referred to as "ME School."

Dhubri district leads with the highest number, renaming 269 ME madrassas, followed by 165 in Nagaon and 158 in Barpeta district, mostly located in the lower Assam region. Additionally, 99 madrassas in Goalpara and 87 in Hailakandi have also been rebranded as "ME Schools."

Earlier this year, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced at a rally in poll-bound Karnataka that the government had closed 600 madrassas, expressing the intention to replace all madrassas in Assam with schools, colleges, and universities.

Himanta Biswa Sarma has consistently emphasised the government's inability to bear the expenses of religious education.

Since 1 April 2021, the state government has already converted 610 state-run madrassas into upper primary, high, and higher secondary schools without altering the status, pay, allowances, and service conditions of teaching and non-teaching staff.