A bill to recognise Dawrae Hadith (Takmil) certificate in Qawmi Madrasa with the status of postgraduate degree of Islamic Studies and Arabic, was passed in parliament yesterday.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid placed the bill titled “Making Dawrae Hadith (Takmil) Certificate in Qawmi Madrasah Equivalent to Master's Degree (Islamic Studies and Arabic)”, which was passed by voice vote.

The proposed law was designed on the basis of the gazette notification published by the education ministry on April 13, 2017, recognising the Dawrae Hadith degree equivalent to master's degree.

The bill will have retrospective effect, and those who have so far acquired Dawrae Hadith degrees after the recognition in April, 2017, will be considered as master's degree holders.

There will be a board named “Al-Haiyatul Ulia Lil-Jamiatil Qawmia Bangladesh” integrating the existing six Qawmi Madrasa education boards in the country.

The chairman of Befakul Madrisil Arabiya Bangladesh (one of the six existing boards) will be the ex-officio chairman of the 17-member integrated board. The board chairman can co-opt one or more persons as the members of the board, but the number of such members will not exceed 15.

The board will prepare syllabus, question papers, conduct examinations and award certificates among the students of Qawmi Madrasa. Besides, the status of postgraduate degree will be effective for the madrasas which would be registered under the board.