ISLAMABAD, Oct 7: The government signed with Ittehad-i-Tanzeemat-i-Madaris Pakistan (ITMP) on Thursday an agreement for introduction of contemporary subjects in seminaries. The move is aimed at modernising religious schools and providing better career opportunity to their students in different fields. The agreement was signed by Interior Secretary Qamar Zaman and heads of five main religious education systems or boards — Mufti Muneebur Rehman, Qari Mohammad Hanif Jalandhry, Dr Yasin Zafar, Maulana Abdul Malik and Maulana Qazi Niaz Hussain Naqvi.

Before signing the agreement, the two sides held a meeting presided over by Interior Minister Rehman Malik.

Many attempts were made in the past to introduce general syllabus in religious schools, but no significant success could be achieved.

Under the agreement, five religious education boards -- Wafaqul Madris Arabia Pakistan, Tanzeemul Madaris Ahl-i-Sunnat Pakistan, Wafaqul Madaris Salfia Pakistan, Wafaqul Madaris Shia Pakistan and Rabta Al Madaris Islamia Pakistan -- will include contemporary subjects in their matric and intermediate courses. Only registered books will be taught.

The five boards of ITMP will design the contents of religious education and compulsory subjects will be in accordance with the syllabus prescribed by the government. The religious education boards will be recognised like other boards in the country through an act of parliament/executive order. After their legal recognition the boards will be linked with the ministry of education.

The agreement said: “In order to achieve uniformity and standard of education and examination, the government will appoint two nominees in each curriculum committee of the five ITMP boards.

“The government desiring to obtain any information about Madaris shall approach ITMP/member board. Any complaint against any madressah shall not be acted upon without taking the concerned ITMP board into confidence.

“No madressah shall teach or publish any literature which promotes militancy or spreads sectarianism. Every madressah will abide by the Societies Registration Act of 1860 as amended by Ordinance XIX of 2005, provided that nothing contained herein shall bar the comparative study of various religions or schools of thought or the study of any other subject covered by the Holy Quran, Sunnah or the Islamic jurisprudence.

“In order to ensure standard of education, uniformity of curricula and standard of examination a 'regulatory body' will be established in consultation between the ITMP and the government. Deliberations to establish the proposed body along with its name shall be concluded within 30 days from the signing of the agreement.

“Foreign students' registration will be regulated through the Ministry of Interior.

“The draft of the act of parliament will be made in consultation with the ITMP and any change will take effect with consensus.”