KARNATAKA:

Mangaluru:

The Muslim Educational Institutions Federation (MEIF), a prominent educational organisation operating in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, has been honored with the prestigious Kannada Rajyotsava Award this year.

The Karnataka state government recognized MEIF’s significant role in revolutionizing education within the Muslim community across both districts. Founded by former Higher Education Minister of Karnataka, BA Mohidin, MEIF’s commendable efforts in education for the past 22 years have earned them this esteemed accolade.

In response to the educational gaps prevalent among Muslims in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, Mohidin initiated free English classes within mosques’ madrasas during daytime. The positive reception from the community led to Jamaats in undivided Dakshina Kannada establishing English medium schools within Madrasa premises.

Encouraged by the overwhelming response, Mohidin conceptualized the Muslim Educational Institutions Federation (MEIF) in 2001. Today, MEIF comprises 180 English medium schools and pre-university colleges across Udupi and Dakshina Kannada, catering to 60,000 students and employing 6,250 teachers. Notably, students of all communities and religions study in these institutions.

MEIF’s mission centers on the belief that education is pivotal for development and strives to empower Muslim community, through education. The Federation extends guidance to member-school boards on administrative matters and conducts regular training sessions for teachers, students, and parents across its five zones. MEIF’s concerted efforts have yielded remarkable results in annual examinations, with an impressive 83 percent of students achieving distinction and first-class grades in recent years. Furthermore, pre-university students have displayed consistent improvements in their academic performances.

Operating with government approval, MEIF’s private unaided schools, primarily located in rural areas, maintain affordable tuition fees. Financially disadvantaged students receive free education, while others are charged nominal fees. Additionally, MEIF facilitates 174 SSLC students’ admission to prominent PU colleges in the districts, supporting over 300 eligible rural students in securing free seats in technology institutes in Mangaluru and Bengaluru.

MEIF has also been instrumental in adding interest among high school students in civil service careers, organizing training sessions to enhance their skills. Over the past three decades, MEIF has played a pivotal role in enhancing literacy rates and women’s education in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.

Founder-chairman of MEIF and esteemed educationist PA Khader Kukkady significantly contributed to the Federation’s development. Following his tenure, Mohammed Beary Yedapadavu assumed the role of chairman, steering MEIF to greater heights. Retired officer Moosabba P Beary is currently running the Federation successfully as its President. Umar Teekay serves as the honorary chairman of MEIF, while Syed Mohamed Beary is the chief advisor. Riyaz Ahmed Kannur is the current general secretary of the federation.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karnataka / by Vartha Bharati / October 31st, 2023