Govt ropes in TISS to overhaul organisation

The absence of a full-time head and adhoc staff recruitment for over a year now has left the Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF), a non-profit organisation designed to promote education amongst the educationally backward minorities, in complete disarray.The Ministry of Minority Affairs which oversees the functioning of MAEF has roped in Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) to prepare a detailed report and suggest a complete overhaul of the organisation formed in 1989.

“The Ministry has been receiving complaints of mismanagement and severe shortage of manpower at the MAEF  since last year. The organisation, which is officially led by the Minority Affairs Minister but managed by a joint secretary-level officer designated secretary, has not had any administrative head for over a year,” said an official MoMA.

“The TISS has been entrusted with carrying out a detailed audit on the functioning of MAEF. The Ministry has decided to act once we have the findings in place,” said the official.The official said that although TISS has submitted a broad outline of the problems ailing the non-profit organisation, a formal report is expected by mid-July.

“We have learnt that the funds are being mismanaged, resources are not being properly utilised and students are suffering because of poor management which is ailing the organisation,” said the official.Effective functioning of MAEF is critical to the implementation of the Nai Manzil scheme (a bridge course to help the deeni Madrasa passouts, in writing the central board examinations, which is a must for university education in India).