Cabinet approves new law to recognise Qawmi madrasa degrees
The cabinet on Monday approved the draft of a law recognising the highest qualifications offered by Qawmi madrasas as equivalent to general education postgraduate degrees, reports bdnews24.com.
The law will recognise Qawmi Madrasa Hadith (Taqmil) Level as equivalent to master’s degree (Islamic Studies and Arabic).
“We have been recognising them (Qawmi qualifications) but now the legal framework is coming,” Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam said at a news briefing after a meeting at the Secretariat. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting.
Six boards oversee the Qawmi madrasas and will become Qawmi Madrasa Education Boards, Alam said.
On Apr 11, 2017 Hasina had announced that the highest educational qualifications offered by Qawmi madrasas would be recognised as equivalent to a Masters degree.
The government then issued a notice on the matter two days later amid heavy criticism.
Last March, 1,010 teachers were appointed to government posts for the mosque-based education for children under the supervision of the Islamic Foundation.
UNB adds: Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam said that the committee formed by the government to review the existing quota system proposed abolition of almost all the quotas in public services giving priority to talent.
Shafiul Alam, however, said court directives will be sought before taking any decision over freedom fighter quota.
The government formed the seven-member committee on July 2 with Mohammad Shafiul Alam as its convener to review the existing quota system in public services.
The other members of the committee are secretaries of the Public Administration, Finance Division, Liberation War Affairs Ministry, Legislative Division and PSC, and the PMO acting secretary.
In April, students of public and private universities across the country waged a strong movement demanding reform in the quota system.
In the face of the movement, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced in Parliament on April 11 the abolition of all types of quotas in government jobs.
