A recent seminar by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) stressed on the need to unveil special measures to ensure adequate education for Muslim girls. The seminar, organised in association with the Committee on Girls' Education, National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions, Government of India and All India Confederation for Women's Empowerment Through Education, New Delhi saw people from outside the city as well.
A report submitted a couple of months ago by the post-Sachar evaluation committee to the Centre revealed that there has been little improvement in the condition of Muslims in general due to poor implementation of the Sachar committee recommendations.
"Muslim women are a minority within a minority. The Constitution gives equal rights to women of all communities. The Holy Quran also has made learning and gaining knowledge compulsory for Muslims, with no discrimination between men and women," said Dr Shabistan Gaffar, chairperson of NCMEI's Committee on Girls' Education.
Sudheendra Kulkarni, Chairman of ORF Mumbai, said the BJP government at the Centre should make Muslim girls' education a matter of high priority. "It should significantly increase budgetary provisions for establishing schools and colleges, constructing adequate number of hostels, and giving scholarships to meritorious students," he said.
It is estimated that only 2.5% of Muslim women are graduates, the lowest among religious communities in India. It has also been seen that there is a high school dropout rate among Muslim girls. "Many talented girls who are eager to pursue higher education are unable to do so because of resistance from within families and the community. This must change," Kulkarni said.
Shrinivas Shastri, under-secretary, school education, mentioned about the newly set up Quality Cell, which is looking at grievances from all stakeholders and will address quality education across the board.
The participants unanimously agreed that it is important to bring on board municipal corporation, department of minority development, department of social justice, and departments of higher and technical education.
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