News Desk
Lahore, April 17, 2024:
In a concerted effort to advocate for the implementation of the right to education for all citizens, the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) and the Peoples Commission for Minorities Rights (PCMR) organized a conference titled “Fulfilling the Dream of Free & Compulsory Education (Article 25-A of the constitution of Pakistan)”.
Distinguished speakers at the event included Peter Jacob, Dr. A. H. Nayyar, Dr. Baela Raza Jamil, Dr. Riaz Ahmed Shaikh, Dr. Yaqoob Khan Bangash, Saqib Jillani Advocate, Raza Ali Advocate, Dr. Uzma Ashiq Khan, Abida Mukhtar, Faaria Khan, and Shafaq Minhas, alongside the provincial minister for school education Punjab, Rana Sikander Hayat.
Education Minister Rana Sikander Hayat reiterated the government’s commitment to increasing investment in education to enhance the quality of early childhood education, integrate technology in schools, and elevate teacher training standards. He also pledged to empower school management councils and introduce reforms to ensure equal learning opportunities for all students.
Executive director at CSJ, Peter Jacob, highlighted the challenges stemming from institutional disconnect and policy vacuum, stressing the need for clear strategies to achieve inclusive and equitable quality education. Dr. Baela Raza Jamil emphasized prioritizing early childhood education and engaging genuine stakeholders in policy-making processes.
Dr. A. H. Nayyar raised concerns regarding religion-specific content in textbooks, calling for the abolition of textbook boards and the introduction of multiple textbooks from private publishers to foster critical thinking among students.
Dr. Yaqoob Khan Bangash emphasized the importance of quality education delivery and cautioned against the promotion of certain ideologies in textbooks. Saqib Jillani Advocate announced intentions to file a petition in the Supreme Court to ensure the implementation of the fundamental right to education.
Raza Ali Advocate challenged the legality of the single national curriculum (SNC), while Abida Mukhtar highlighted parental concerns regarding religious material in textbooks and ongoing legal challenges in the Lahore High Court.
Shafaq Minhas shared findings of a content analysis of textbooks, revealing religious-specific content and gender stereotypes prevalent across subjects.
The conference concluded with a unified call for concrete actions to address the barriers hindering the realization of the right to education for all in Pakistan.