The Class X results of Madrasah Board in West Bengal sprang a surprise here on Tuesday when a Hindu girl was ranked sixth in the State. Fifteen-year-old Mou Halder, who achieved the rare feat, is a student of Bogdhara Siddikiya High Madrasah in Bankura district.

Daughter of a farmer from Khatra in Bankura, Ms. Halder told The Hindu over phone that she enjoyed studying Arabic and Islam Parichay among other subjects.

Though she had not got details of her subject-wise break-up, the student is hopeful that she would have scored over 80 marks in both the subjects.

According to the results published by the West Bengal Board of Madrasah Education, the student scored 719 marks out of 800.

“I studied in a primary school till class IV. Since the high school was about eight km away through forest lands, I got admitted to the High Madrasah,” Ms Haldar said, adding that along with her about a dozen boys and girls in her class are from Hindu families.

A teacher of the High Madrasah, whom this correspondent spoke to, also said that students and their parents had no hesitation in sending their wards to madrasahs where they have to study Arabic and Islam Parichay. “The high school is far off from here and transportation is a problem for children,” he added.

After obtaining such good marks, Mou, who wants to become a doctor, will continue higher secondary studies in the same institution.

Another interesting fact is that madrasahs in West Bengal have higher enrolment of girl students. Of the 43, 607 students, who appeared for Class X board examination in madrasahs of the State, more than 68 percent – 29,803 – are girls.

In the merit list published by the West Bengal Board of Madrasah Education, eight among the top ten rank holders are girls.

Syed Nurus Salam, secretary of West Bengal Madrasah education, said that it required a detailed study on why madrasahs in the State attracted more girls.

On students of other communities getting into these institutions, he said the madrsah followed modern curriculum and the only addition were Arabic and Islamic studies. “In every high madrasah of the State you will find Hindu students and their number is growing every year,” Mr. Nurus Salam told The Hindu .

Madrasahs in West Bengal have higher enrolment

rate of girl students