Thousands of students pursuing education in madrasas in Delhi and Gujarat cannot enroll themselves in colleges and universities.

Without a madrasa board in these states to issue certificates, institutes of higher education do not recognise the academic training of these students.

Madras boards in other states issue certificates to madrasa students passing out Fauqania and Maulavi, considered equivalent to Class X and XII. Students with these certificates face no difficulty in admissions to colleges and universities.

Without certificates, madrasa students of Delhi and Gujarat can pursue further studies only in madrasas.

The National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI), which issues minority certificates to schools and colleges set up by minorities, cannot award such a certificate to madrasas from Delhi and Gujarat as they are not affiliated institutions, said Jose Abraham, a Supreme Court advocate who has represented many petitioner institutions in the NCMEI.

"The certificates issued by madrasa boards are recognised as equivalent to certificates issued by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). But madrasa students of Delhi and Gujarat face problems without a madrasa board,” Abraham said.

The ministry of minority affairs funds recognised madrasas. Without boards, the Delhi and Gujarat madrasas fail to get funds.

Recently, a madrasa in Delhi applied for grants from the ministry. After being denied for lack of recognition, it applied for affiliation from the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), a recognised school board for distance-mode students. The NIOS issued a letter to treat the madrasa as its exam centre, equivalent to recognition, Abraham said.

Armed with the NIOS letter, the madrasa applied for a minority certificate from the NCMEI, which responded positively.

However, it is learnt that the Delhi government plans to move Delhi High Court to challenge the NIOS recognition of the madrasa. "The ministry of education recognises the NIOS school board. Hence, the recognition granted by the NIOS to the madrasa in Delhi should be considered valid. The Delhi government’s stand to challenge the NIOS recognition is unconstitutional,” Abraham said.

This newspaper has emailed Gujarat chief secretary Raj Kumar and Delhi education secretary Ashok Kumar on the absence of madrasa boards. Their response is awaited.