According to the state government’s directive, approximately 1,300 Middle English (ME) madrasas across Assam have been converted into regular Middle English schools with immediate effect. The Director of Elementary Education, Suranjana Senapati, issued an order on Wednesday stating that under the Directorate of Elementary Education, 1,281 upper primary ME madrasas throughout the state will now be known as “ME Schools” with immediate effect.

Previously, in April 2021, all 610 state-run madrasas under the Madrasa Board were converted into higher primary, high, and higher secondary schools. This transformation did not entail any changes in the status, salaries, allowances, and service conditions of teaching and non-teaching staff.

As reported by PTI, the Director of Elementary Education, Suranjana Senapati, informed that regular classes were already being conducted in these approximately 1,300 ME madrasa schools, and according to government directives, only their nomenclature underwent “slight changes.” She mentioned, “There are students, teachers, and other staff in madarsas. Classes have been running for years, and they will continue without any alterations.” When asked whether theology was also taught before the issuance of the directive, Senapati declined to comment.

The list available with PTI includes all madarsas and their new names. For example, in Bajali, Anandapur ME Madarsa will now be known as Anandapur ME School, and in Barpeta, Charkapara ME Madarsa has been renamed Charkapara ME School.

Similarly, in December 2020, the Assam Madarsa Education (Provincialization) Act, 1995, and the Assam Madarsa Education (Provincialization of Services of Employees and Reorganization of Madrasa Educational Institutions) Act, 2018, were repealed. This step by the first BJP-led government in Assam paved the way for shutting down all state-funded madrasas