The poor educational indices in muslim community require government intervention

The poor educational indices in muslim community require government intervention

The National Statistical Organisation’s findings of low education outcomes among Muslims indicate that their material conditions have not made much progress since the controversial Sachar committee report and recommendations of 2005. In literacy levels and school attendance at upper primary, secondary and higher secondary levels, Muslims fare worse than other weaker groups like Dalits and Adivasis or just as bad. 17% of Muslims between ages 3 and 35 had never enrolled in a formal education programme compared to 13.4% of Dalits and 14.7% Adivasis.

The findings are a pointer to the social and economic backwardness of the Muslim community. The appeasement politics that BJP accused Congress and other secular parties of practising had run its course by 2014. Instead of continuing to raise old slogans, it is time to launch new schemes. A community falling behind doesn’t behove well for India’s development or growth trajectory. Educational avenues have helped India overcome the history of caste inequities and is helping hitherto backward communities join the mainstream. The falling fertility rates are also being ascribed to improved education prospects of girl children and delaying of marriage age.

A paradigm shift has to be made by central and state governments to address the educational slide in the Muslim community. To make matters worse ill-conceived policies like NRC and CAA have increased the trust deficit between the community and government. The criminalisation of triple talaq was presented as a welfare measure for Muslim women; an education outreach can benefit the entire Muslim community. The rollout of the new National Education Policy is a timely moment to focus on early learning, especially among the weakest sections of society.