Mumbai: The Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO), Maharashtra South Zone, has officially submitted its Budget Recommendations for the fiscal year 2026-27 to the state government. In a call for a systemic overhaul of the education sector, the organization has urged the Government of Maharashtra to allocate a minimum of 20% of the total budgetary expenditure to education to uphold constitutional values of equality and inclusive growth.

While acknowledging Maharashtra's rapid economic expansion, the SIO report draws attention to a persistent "pattern of exclusion" affecting the Muslim community. Citing data from the Sachar, Kundu, and Mehmood-ur-Rehman Committees, the organization noted that Muslims often lag behind Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) on key human development indicators, specifically in urban and backward districts.

Disparities in Primary and Urdu-Medium Education

The recommendations highlight a significant crisis in student retention. According to the report, only 10 out of every 100 students in Urdu-medium schools reach the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) level, compared to 27 out of 100 in Marathi-medium schools.

Infrastructure gaps were also flagged, with the report stating that 9.1% of these schools lack functional boys' toilets and 6.9% lack girls' toilets. Furthermore, the SIO emphasized the need for immediate recruitment to address high student-teacher ratios, which reach 45:1 in Thane, and called for the regularization of contractual teachers.

The Digital Divide

The report underscores a stark resource divide, revealing that only 7% of Urdu-medium schools currently possess computer laboratories. The student-to-computer ratio stands at a staggering 81:1. To counter this, the SIO has called for dedicated funding for smart classrooms and AI-enabled learning tools.

Key Policy Recommendations

To bridge these gaps and prevent dropouts, the SIO has proposed several structural reforms:

• RTE Extension: Extending the Right to Education (RTE) Act coverage up to 18 years.

• New Institutions: Establishing a Central University in Maharashtra and a Higher Education Regulatory Authority to ensure accountability.

• Career Pathways: Introducing vocational exposure at the upper-primary stage and establishing career counseling cells in all junior colleges.

• Scholarships: Enhancing scholarship allocations to fill the void left by the discontinuation of the MANF and pre-matric scholarships, ensuring timely disbursement to economically vulnerable households.

Urban Development and Welfare

Beyond educational reforms, the SIO proposed targeted interventions in minority-concentrated regions. These include the development of public parks, libraries, student centers, and improved sanitation and waste management systems.

Speaking on the submission, Uzair Ahmed Rangrez, President, SIO South Maharashtra, stated, "The 2026-27 budget is a critical opportunity to correct long-standing regional and social imbalances. We aren't just asking for funding; we are asking for a roadmap to social justice. By prioritizing these recommendations, the government can ensure that the 'Maharashtra Development Agenda' truly includes every citizen, regardless of their background or the language they speak."