Question : LITERACY RATE OF MINORITIES



(a) the number of Madrasas functioning in the country,State-wise;

(b) the efforts being made by the Government to increase the literacy rate of minorities; and

(c) the achievements made as a result thereof?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT(DR. D. PURANDESWARI)

(a) Information on number of Madrasas functioning in the country is not maintained centrally.

(b) A Scheme for Providing Quality Education in Madrasas (SPQEM) has been formulated to provide financial assistance and encourage traditional institutions like Madrasas/Maktabs to introduce Science, Mathematics, Social Studies, Hindi and English in their curriculum so that children studying in these Institutions gain academic proficiency for classes I-XII. Another scheme called Infrastructure Development of Minority Institutes (IDMI) has also been formulated to facilitate education of minorities by augmenting and strengthening school infrastructure in order to expand facilities for formal education to children of minority communities.

(c) Financial assistance of 147.70 crore has been provided under SPQEM to 7024 Madrasas during 2009-10 and 2010-11. Under IDMI, 146 Institutes have been granted financial assistance of ` 27.46 crore during this period.