21,000 UP Madrasa Teachers Left Destitute After Scheme Ended; State Now Considers Integration

Around 21,000 teachers hired under the now-discontinued Madrasa Modernisation Scheme in Uttar Pradesh are facing prolonged financial distress after the programme was halted by the Centre nearly five years ago. Many of these educators, who were appointed to introduce modern subjects and improve education standards in madrasas, have since been left without stable employment, forcing several of them into low-paying or informal jobs to survive.

One such case is that of 56-year-old Mohammad Muslim, a postgraduate in English, who now sells fruits from a handcart to support his family. Despite his academic qualifications and years of service under the scheme, he says he has struggled to find consistent income after the programme was stopped. His situation reflects the broader hardship faced by thousands of similarly placed teachers across the state, many of whom say they were left without clarity or support following the scheme’s discontinuation.

The Madrasa Modernisation Scheme was originally designed to improve the quality of education in madrasas by introducing trained teachers in subjects such as English, science, and mathematics. However, after the Centre discontinued the scheme, thousands of appointed teachers were left without formal roles or alternative placements, leading to widespread unemployment among the group. Several teachers have since taken up small jobs, while others continue to teach in madrasas for minimal or irregular pay.

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In response to their long-standing demands, Uttar Pradesh Minority Affairs Minister Danish Azad Ansari has stated that the state government is now considering a plan to accommodate these “modern teachers.” He said the proposal follows an in-principle decision taken during a meeting with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and a detailed framework is expected to be prepared soon. The government has indicated that teachers who contributed significantly under the scheme will not be ignored in future arrangements.

For many affected educators, the announcement has brought a renewed sense of hope after years of uncertainty. However, they continue to wait for concrete implementation, as financial struggles persist. The issue has also reignited debate over policy continuity and the long-term support provided to contractual educators involved in government-backed education reform programmes.

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