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Education
West Bengal to close 250 private madrasas over low enrolment, poor infrastructure
✍️ India Today
🗓 24 Sep 2026, 01:37 PM
👁 14
The West Bengal government announced the shutdown of 250 privately run madrasas, citing insufficient student numbers and substandard facilities.
Kolkata, Sept 24 — The West Bengal education department has ordered the closure of 250 privately managed madrasa schools across the state. Officials say the institutions were identified after a survey revealed consistently low enrolment figures and infrastructure that fails to meet basic safety and educational standards.
The decision is part of a broader effort by the state to streamline its educational ecosystem and ensure that all schools, including religious institutions, provide a minimum level of quality. Authorities will issue formal notices to the affected madrasas, giving them a short window to comply before the shutdown takes effect.
Stakeholders, including community leaders and madrasa administrators, have been urged to explore alternative arrangements for students, such as enrollment in government schools or approved private institutions that meet regulatory criteria.
The move has drawn mixed reactions; while some view it as a necessary step to improve educational outcomes, others warn that abrupt closures could disrupt the learning of thousands of children who rely on these schools for basic instruction.
The decision is part of a broader effort by the state to streamline its educational ecosystem and ensure that all schools, including religious institutions, provide a minimum level of quality. Authorities will issue formal notices to the affected madrasas, giving them a short window to comply before the shutdown takes effect.
Stakeholders, including community leaders and madrasa administrators, have been urged to explore alternative arrangements for students, such as enrollment in government schools or approved private institutions that meet regulatory criteria.
The move has drawn mixed reactions; while some view it as a necessary step to improve educational outcomes, others warn that abrupt closures could disrupt the learning of thousands of children who rely on these schools for basic instruction.