A meeting was held on Saturday to discuss the implementation of the scheme that is designed to mainstream children attending these religious seminaries in Delhi. Now, a report will be sent to the SSA committee on March 21. The funds will be disbursed after Education Secretary Rina Ray, who is chairing the committee, gives a go-ahead.

A report on Islamic education had recommended the government’s involvement in bringing madrassas under the universal education programme, financed by the SSA programme. After that about Rs 45 crore was earmarked for the ‘madrassa modernisation’ programme. Under the programme, Rs 15 lakh per district will be released for the madarassas in Delhi’s nine districts, an Education department official said.

As part of Saturday meeting’s discussions, madrassas willing to be part of the scheme have the option to get qualified teachers from the ministry or get their own teachers trained to provide education at par with other schools, including English and Science. “No major decision has been taken in the meeting. But we have 70 registered madrassas that can get the grant,” Shariful Hasan Naqvi, the nodal officer for Urdu and a member of the SSA committee, said.

“Other madrassas will be encouraged to register. If they register before March 31, they can avail of the grant,” he said. “They can also merge or join with the registered madrassas, which can get extra funds.”

Meetings with the representatives of madrassas will be held soon, he said.