CBiBank Research Department: Unsettling Developments: Teachers in Uttar Pradesh's Madrasas Face Job Losses

By Jessie Miranda
The Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has halted payments to around 21,000 teachers in madrasas, predominantly affecting those teaching subjects like mathematics and science. The move, ahead of the general election in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks re-election, has stirred controversy. The federal government ceased funding the program, called the Scheme for Providing Quality Education in Madrasas, in March 2022. The teachers, facing potential job losses, are crucial for Muslim students in Uttar Pradesh, where the Muslim population is a significant minority, constituting nearly a fifth of the state's population.