Kolkata, Jun 29 (IANS): The West Bengal Board of Madrassa Education has proposed to the state government to start 'vocational madrassas' for students class eight onwards, an official said.

"The vocational madrassa would run parallel to the general education imparted in these institutions. From class eight students would be provided vocational training so that they can take up a suitable means of livelihood. We have just sent a proposal to the state government," Fazle Rabbi, president of the state madrassa education board, told IANS.

Rabbi said the board runs 'English medium madrassas' and 48-hour 'bridging courses' where students who have had no education are brushed-up on basics in reading and writing in two days before joining mainstream madrassa curriculum in class five.

"Many students who join in class five do not know how to read and write. The teachers will complete the syllabus in time but then the students will suffer as they don't know basics. So in 48 hours we try to expose them to the basics and take them to a standard level before they jump into the mainstream," Rabbi added.