Gelt, Gelt and Gelt. That is all it is about, and I am sticking to my guns on this. No one is forcing anyone to learn any secular studies. It is a precondition for government funding, nothing more.
What the Charaidim really need is to find an alternative source of income from their current life on the dole. Might I suggest creation of a Golem (or five).
Golems are a proven technology (as the Maharal has already created one) and can be used in a golem-based currency (See: Golems of Um). Golems do not need to sleep and do not get tired. They can be hired out to earn money so that the Charaidim can stay in learning. They are a perfect solution to an otherwise unsolvable problem.