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The blend of religious and regular education is changing the face of the Andhra madrassas
A survey of 2,300 school children and adolescents in Muslim-dominated Musheerabad in ’01 led to CAP sensitising parents about its programmes. It also engaged police attention on child labour, child rights and the role of the police in protecting children at risk. Says project director Gurpreet Bhatia: "We formed a mothers’ committee to actively mobilise children to return to education without which many would end up as domestic help." There was considerable scepticism. But it didn’t take long for Muslim mothers to change their minds. "Initially, we were reluctant," recalls Abida Begum, "but when we saw how the girls from other communities were benefiting, we requested CAP and Musheerabad madrassa members to start the programme in the madrassa as well." Her daughter has completed tenth standard from the madrassa under the CAP programme. She is now pursuing a three-month training in computers at the Musheerabad Madrassa Employability Training Centre. In fact, more than 850 children have been mobilised and mainstreamed in the government schools in the area via the bridge school in the madrassa.
The CAP project enabled the Madina-ul-Uloom madrassa in Musheerabad obtain government recognition as an educational institution. In June ’04, two more madrassas approached the CAP to help expand their activities to include formal education. "We have ensured while we use the readymade community platform provided by the madrassas, the quality of education is high," says Bhatia. "We have devised a methodology for rapid learning. We also help in training teachers, development of curriculum supplements, classroom processes and parent and community involvement in school development."
The AP government has mandated the CAP Foundation to organise state-level workshops for madrassas. The scope of the foundation’s programme will soon be on a broader canvas and benefit more Muslim children.
Contact 8/3/833/66, Kamalapuri Colony, Srinagar Colony Main Rd, Hyderabad—500 073. Tel: 040 23540019. E-mail: info@capfoundation.in