'Crime against children': NCPCR writes to NIOS over Jamiat Open School being run for Classes 3, 5, 8

NEW DELHI: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NIOS) has written to the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) seeking details regarding the open school being run by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind in partnership with the institute. The child rights body has asked NIOS to discontinue the courses and take steps to enroll the students in formal schooling.

In a letter, NCPCR said it has found that the organization has established the Jamiat Open School for Madrasa students on the lines of NIOS and is offering mainstream education.

“The Commission, under Section l3 (l) O of the CPCR Act, 2005, has taken cognizance of the complaint seeking immediate action against the open school being run by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind with support from National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). The Commission further examined the details and has found that Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has established Jamiat Open School on lines of NIOS for Madrasa students, enabling them to pursue 'mainstream' education,” it said.

As per the child rights body, Shoaib Raza Khan, assistant director of NIOS, has also been quoted saying that the school is a path-breaking initiative and assuring that NIOS is ready to extend all possible cooperation to Jamiat. “The document available on the website also states that modernization of Madrasas by the Government disturbs their moral upbringing,” NCPCR noted.

Fund-raising in UK, activity in Pakistan

Following the complaint, NCPCR has asked NIOS to submit a report on the details of any form of agreement between NIOS and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind or Jamiat Education Foundation or Jamiat Open School. It also asked the fee share between NIOS and Jamiat Open School per student.

"It has also been noted that Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has been raising huge funds in United Kingdom based on open schooling system allegedly established in collaboration with NIOS and undertaking activities in countries like Pakistan. As per the fee structure of NIOS, the funding is far more than the expenditure on open schooling of children. What is the share of NIOS in such kind of funding?,” the child rights commission asked.

Violation of RTE Act

NCPCR mentioned the Right to Education Act and argued that offering open schooling for Classes 3, 5, and 8 is in violation of the act. The commission said that there are 15 lakh schools in the country and government has established enough schools for elementary education. “What is the need of offering education through open schooling for elementary level,” NCPCR asked. “Therefore, NIOS shall immediately discontinue these courses and take steps to enroll these children in formal schooling,” it directed NIOS.

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The child rights commission pressed on the issue that students enrolled in open schooling are deprived of facilities such as midday meals, uniform, trained teachers. It accused the organization of crime against children and the NIOS of legalising the violation of child rights, and asked NIOS to set up a committee on officers who allowed the opening of school.

NCPCR further asked NIOS to provide the list of study centres opened by it in Madrasa or any other institution associated with Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind; list of teachers along with their qualification; number of children who have taken admission under this system till date.