During an event at Patna’s Bapu Auditorium, Madrasa teachers appealed to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for a raise in their salaries and clearance of their outstanding dues. CM Nitish Kumar responded by promising to look into the matter. The gathering was held on August 21st to celebrate the centenary of the Bihar State Madrasa Education Board.
Reports indicate that approximately 15,000 individuals participated in the event, including teachers from the Madrasa Board. They demonstrated to CM Nitish Kumar, seeking a salary increase. The CM addressed them personally and offered his assurance to consider their requests.
In Bihar, there are around 3,200 madrasas. Half of them, 1,600, are funded by the state government, while the remaining 1,600 do not receive government grants. The experienced Maulvis and Fazils are currently earning around ₹50,000 per month. Newly appointed teachers in various positions get salaries ranging from ₹24,000 to ₹34,000. The qualifications for Maulvi are equivalent to Intermediate, Alim to Graduation, and Fazil to PG levels, and Hafiz teachers provide religious education.
Madrasas are structured with ‘Wastaniya’ up to class 8, ‘Fauqania’ up to class 10, ‘Maulvi’ up to class 12, and ‘Alim’ at the graduate level. The Madrasa teachers voiced their concerns about delayed salaries and the precarious state of the Madrasa Board. In May, similar protests occurred in Darbhanga, where teachers protested the non-payment of their salaries. A significant 1,600 madrasas in the state are currently without state government funding.