The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) said that Article 25-of the 18th Amendment of Constitution has recognised access of all children aged 5-16 to free and compulsory education as a fundamental right. It is a great achievement of this country.
All four provinces and territories are now demanded to legislate their own provincial acts for implementation of Article 25-A as a prerequisite, and mobilize funds to implement this article.
In this regard, the Unesco has already assisted the Senate and Capital Development Authority which has recently passed the bill on free and compulsory education Islamabad Capital Territory. UNESCO Director Dr Kozue Kay Nagata said this on the occasion of advocacy seminar on right to free and compulsory education and health and safety standards in schools, held in Hyderabad.
Provincial Minister for Education Pir Mazharul Haq along with Dr Riaz Memon, special secretary, department of education, Govt of Sindh, civil society representatives, parents and a large number of teachers participated in the event.
The seminar on right to free education and health and safety standards in schools was organised by the education and literacy department, government of Sindh, in collaboration with Unesco to encourage education for all, health and hygiene practices among children in schools, and also advocate the need of having safe schools; one of the key areas Unesco is helping provincial ministries to develop the school safety plans, to integrate Disaster Risk Reduction at school level in order to create preparedness and increasing individual’s and community’s mitigation of disasters.
It was recommended that school health should be firmly adopted as an important impetus for Education for All, attracting more students in schools and improves their retention and successful completion of their education.
Talking to the occasion, Dr Nagata showed her confidence in the representatives of people in Sindh, led by Pir Mazhar ul-Haq and the education department, government of Sindh to pass the bill on right to free and compulsory education in the province and ensure school health and school safety standards in the province and its districts. Islamabad Capital Territory was cited as a role model for provinces to follow suit in passing the bill on right to free and compulsory education as per the mandatory requirement of Article 25-A.
Senior Minister Education Pir Mazhar-ul-Haq appreciated the efforts of Unesco for advocating free education and raising awareness on healthy and safe schools in Sindh. He affirmed that Sindh Government is committed to Article 25-A and soon a bill on right to free education will be presented in provincial assembly for legislation.
He expressed concern over falling standards of education in his province and said that the parents, the students and the civil society organizations should join hands with the education department for improving the standards and quality of education in the province.
He also highlighted in his speech the missing facilities in schools, especially the latrines, which are deterring the students, especially the girls from attending schools. He also stressed on the need for school buildings in the shelter-less schools and emphasized upon community’s participation in school affairs.
