Hossen Sohel: The cabinet yesterday approved the draft of a new law recognizing the highest qualifications offered by Qawmi madrasas as equivalent to general education post-graduation degrees.
The law will recognize Qawmi Madrasa Hadith (Taqmil) Level as equivalent to master’s degree (Islamic Studies and Arabic), reports Bdnews24.com.
“We have been recognizing them (Qawmi qualifications) but now the legal framework is coming,” Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam said at a news briefing after a meeting at the Secretariat. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting.
Six boards oversee the Qawmi madrasas and will become Qawmi Madrasa Education Boards, Alam said.
On Apr 11, 2017, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had announced that the highest educational qualifications offered by Qawmi madrasas would be recognized as equivalent to a Masters degree.
The government then issued a notice on the matter two days later amid heavy criticism.
Last March, 1,010 teachers were appointed to government posts for the mosque-based education for children under the supervision of the Islamic Foundation.
The chairman of Befakul Madrisil Arabiya Bangladesh (one of the existing six boards) will be the ex-officio chairman of the 17-member integrated board. The board chairman can co-opt one or more persons as the members of the board, but the number of such members will not exceed 15.
Shafiul Alam said the board will prepare syllabus, question papers, conduct examinations and award certificates among the students of Qawmi Madrasah.
Besides, the status of the post graduate degree will be effective for the madrasahs which would be registered under the board.