Study flags crisis in state-run Moulana Azad Model Schools in Bengaluru
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Bengaluru: A comprehensive ground-level study titled “A Study on the Condition of Moulana Azad Model Schools in Bangalore,” prepared by the Movement for Justice, has revealed severe structural, administrative, and academic shortcomings in the functioning of state-run Maulana Azad Model English Medium Schools (MAMS) across the city.
The study examines infrastructure, governance, enrollment patterns, teacher availability and learning outcomes in MAMS schools. It concludes that the gap between policy promises and ground reality is wide and growing.
The report warns that unless urgent corrective steps are taken, the original purpose of these minority schools may be completely weakened.
The Maulana Azad Model Schools were launched in 2017 by the Karnataka Minority Welfare Department and named after Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, India’s first Education Minister.
Known as English-medium government schools for Classes 6 to 10 under the State Secondary Education Board, the initiative aimed to provide quality education to students from minority communities. Students are entitled to free uniforms with complete kits and mid-day meals to improve attendance and nutrition, and free textbooks and basic stationery.
However, the study finds that the on-ground reality is far removed from these objectives.
The study was undertaken with three key objectives, to objectively assess the actual condition of government-run minority schools, to identify gaps in governance, infrastructure, and faculty welfare that hinder academic progress, and to propose corrective measures. Across almost all parameters, the findings point to deep and systemic deficiencies.
At the infrastructure level, the report documents an alarming absence of basic facilities in most schools.
Libraries, playgrounds, science laboratories, computer labs, clerical staff, watchmen, and sanitation workers are largely missing, the report added.
Acute space shortages have forced several schools to conduct classes in corridors, balconies, store rooms, and even staircases.
Classroom ventilation is consistently poor, and toilets are described as being in the “worst condition,” often without doors, lighting, or hygiene facilities, a situation that disproportionately affects girl students. Even the free uniforms supplied to students are reported to be of substandard quality, wearing out within six months.
Faculty-related issues are equally grave. Most MAMS schools do not have permanent teachers or permanent headmasters and instead depend heavily on guest faculty.
According to the report, these teachers are paid a monthly salary of just ₹12,500, have no job security, and frequently face delays in payment, severely affecting morale and teaching quality.
The report alleges that several schools lack Physical Training teachers and First Division Assistants. These constraints are reflected in academic outcomes, with SSLC pass percentages in several schools falling below 77 %, significantly lower than the state average.
Enrollment patterns further underline the crisis. Admissions remain low, and dropout rates are high across schools. The co-location of Urdu-medium schools for Classes 1 to 7 within the same premises delays students’ entry into MAMS, weakening continuity.
Migration-related irregular attendance further destabilises learning, while awareness about these schools is extremely poor. The report notes that 57 percent of MAMS schools are not even traceable on Google Maps. Governance failures are widespread, including the absence of School Development and Monitoring Committees, weak departmental oversight and minimal community engagement.
The report provides detailed school-wise findings that illustrate the depth of the problem. At the Kumbarpet, Kalasipalya MAMS, only 24 students are enrolled.
“The school has no permanent teachers or headmaster, suffers from poor sanitation, lacks a first-aid kit and toilet lighting, and operates with just two classrooms shared within an Urdu school building. An official letter has already been submitted seeking closure of the school,” added the report.
The report presents detailed school-wise findings. At Kumbarpet, Kalasipalya MAMS, only 24 students are enrolled. The school has no permanent teachers or headmaster, poor sanitation, no first-aid kit or toilet lighting, and operates with just two classrooms shared with an Urdu school. An official letter has already been submitted seeking the school’s closure.
At Shivajinagar (Black Palli) MAMS, which functions from a heritage building, only three classrooms are usable. During the monsoon, classes are held in corridors. The school has no laboratories and severely damaged toilets, making relocation urgent. Shantinagar (Jalakanteshwara Nagar) MAMS has relatively better infrastructure but no permanent staff, no laboratories or playground, no compound wall, poor ventilation, sanitation problems and frequent water overflow.
Kaggalipura MAMS shows a contrast. Despite achieving 100 percent SSLC results for two consecutive years, it operates with leaking roofs, no laboratories, no playground, insufficient classrooms and no attached PU college. The report notes that the school has received no government infrastructure support despite its strong academic performance. At KR Puram MAMS, construction work has remained stalled for over one-and-a-half years, leaving the school without laboratories, dining space or permanent staff.
Medahalli MAMS is described as being in extreme distress. The school runs five classes in just two rooms and has no playground, laboratories or dining space. Students eat their mid-day meals on the terrace under intense heat. The school recorded a 100 percent SSLC failure last year, with many non-native students struggling in Kannada. Uniforms reportedly deteriorate within half a semester.
Parangipalya MAMS suffers from overcrowding, foul-smelling and unhygienic conditions, lack of fans, and no laboratories or playground. Kannada learning difficulties are common, and enrollment has dropped sharply as students move into daily wage work. Arab Lane, Richmond Town MAMS, despite having adequate classrooms and permanent staff, functions at less than 50 percent capacity due to poor awareness and low interest among parents and students.
Shanti Nagar MAMS faces shortages of classrooms, poor toilet facilities, no laboratories and no permanent staff. Due to lack of space, its Class 10 students have been shifted to another school. Shikaripalya MAMS is identified as a comparatively better-performing school due to support from NGOs such as IIHS, ELCITA and the Upay Foundation, which have helped with remedial classes, computer labs, solar panels and infrastructure improvements. Even here, permanent staff are lacking and an attached PU college is needed.
Shivajinagar (Thimmaiah Road) MAMS has good infrastructure and permanent staff but continues to record low enrollment because of migrant student dropouts. The report also raises concerns about drug use by outsiders on the school campus. Anekal Town MAMS faces serious safety and health risks, as classes are held near a hospital mortuary with persistent chemical odours. The school lacks clean drinking water, CCTV cameras and has faced long construction delays.
Subhash Nagar MAMS struggles with combined classes, no playground or computer lab, poor sanitation and low student motivation. The headmaster is reportedly handling two schools at the same time. Ashok Nagar MAMS, despite having decent infrastructure, runs at only 50 percent capacity due to expansion limits linked to its heritage building.
Minhaj Nagar MAMS stands out as a success story, showing academic and infrastructure improvement due to strong leadership, community-funded remedial classes and official recognition. However, it still lacks a playground, library and computer lab.
MS Palya MAMS benefits from NGO and community support, including a science lab funded by World Vision and a good playground, but lacks clerical staff, a computer lab and needs Kannada remedial classes. Yelahanka Old Town MAMS has performed well academically due to stable leadership and community support, but does not have a playground.
Drawing lessons from better-performing schools, the report highlights that the presence of permanent headmasters, a higher proportion of permanent teachers, adequate infrastructure and active community and NGO participation directly correlate with improved enrollment and learning outcomes.
The study also analyses minority welfare budget allocations. For FY 2025–26, ₹126 crore has been allocated for MAMS maintenance and ₹100 crore for additional classrooms.
In 2024–25, ₹117.65 crore was earmarked for maintenance and ₹100 crore for construction, with ₹86 crore spent on building additional classrooms in 47 schools, averaging ₹1.8 crore per school.
In its concluding demographic analysis, the report points to a stark mismatch between need and capacity.
With Bengaluru’s Muslim population estimated at 16.25 lakh and around 1.14 lakh Muslim children in the 11–16 age group, only 2,033 students are currently enrolled in 17 MAMS schools, representing just 1.78 % coverage. To serve even 10 % of this population, the study estimates that at least 46 well-functioning MAMS schools, each with a capacity of 250 students, would be required.
The report urges the government to urgently address the structural, administrative and policy failures plaguing the Maulana Azad Model Schools. Without immediate and sustained intervention, it warns, the very purpose for which these minority schools, established as they are, stand at serious risk of being undermined.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
