April 3, 2002	Wednesday	Muharram 19,1423

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ISLAMABAD, April 2: The government has decided to grant university status to selected religious schools enabling them to conduct examinations and award postgraduate degrees, recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC), to their students, sources informed Dawn.

Sources said that under directives of the education ministry, the UGC had started formulating a criteria for grant of university status to renowned and selected Madaris. Once the criteria is developed, the Madaris would be able to conduct examinations and issue degrees and certificates to their students.

They said a decision had been taken whereby the UGC would treat the certificates and degrees issued by the model Dini Madaris as equivalent to graduation and post-graduation (BA and MA) awarded by other boards and recognised universities.

The government had constituted a working group to examine the proposal of establishment of model Darul Ulooms and to prepare a comprehensive scheme for the consideration of the president, the National Security Council and the cabinet.

The group was tasked to suggest ways and means to improve the Madaris and secure cooperation between the Madaris and the national education system without affecting their autonomy.

The cabinet has approved the establishment of three model Madaris in Karachi, Sukkur and Islamabad.

The authorities have carried out the survey of Haj complexes at Karachi, Sukkur and Islamabad for the necessary alterations according to the requirements of the Madaris.

However, massive funding is required to implement the plan.

It was proposed that Zakat funds could be diverted for the purpose. However, later, it was objected to on the grounds that Zakat funds could not be used for carrying out reforms in the Madaris as it was against the principles of Shariat.

Sources said the government initially planned to finance the residential facilities and stipends for the needy students in the model Madaris through the Zakat Fund. It is yet to be decided whether the Baitul Maal would finance the stipends in view of the objections.

Sources said the funding for the reforms in Madaris had to provide for sufficient computers to every religious school, with other equipment necessary for imparting vocational and professional training.

The government also has to make provision for bearing the expenses on salaries of the teachers in the selected Madaris.

Among the steps taken to regulate the working of the Madaris, sources said, an ordinance regarding registration of Madaris has been drafted and would be submitted to the cabinet after consultation with the interior and law ministries.

The president, sources said, had also approved release of Rs30 million for the Pakistan Madressah Education Board (PMEB) fund.

The board had made the curriculum for the Madaris which includes subjects of English, mathematics, computer science, economics, political science, law and Pakistan studies.

The rules regarding affiliation of Madaris with the PMEB and recruitment of staff had been finalised, the sources added.