MSA Siddiqi addresses the meeting. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, Oct. 30: National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions chairman M.S.A. Siddiqi today admitted that ensuring due wages to the madarsa teachers was quite difficult unless the state government constitutes a madarsa board.

At a meeting with principals of minority schools at Project Building, he said once this board becomes functional, it would be easier for the commission to see that the teachers get their salaries in accordance with the recommendations by the pay commission.

Siddiqi was apparently shocked when the teachers complained that their wages were less than that of manual labourers. He was informed that there were 186 madarsas in the state and the teachers did not get their salaries even on the eve of Id.

Incidentally, the Arjun Munda government had resolved to give financial assistance to all the recognised private educational institutions, including the madarsas. However, the teachers alleged that they had not been given a single penny so far.

The representatives of Christian minority educational institutions on the other hand complained that they were not being given “minority” certificates. Their applications to the state government and even the national commission had gone in vain. Siddiqi advised them to immediately give him copies of their applications.

Sister Nirmala of St Goretti High School, Pakur, said although her school was functional for the past 20 years it was yet to be granted recognition by the Jharkhand Academic Council.