NA passes Free, Compulsory Education Bill 2012 unanimously

The National Assembly on Tuesday passed the Right to free and Compulsory Education Bill 2012 unanimously to ensure free and compulsory education to all children of ages between five and sixteen as enshrined in Article 25-A.
The private member bill, also passed by the Senate, was piloted by PPP lawmaker Yasmeen Rehman. The statement of objects and reasons of the bill said Article 25A provided for free education to all children of ages five to sixteen as a fundamental right and its provision was a responsibility of the State.
Accordingly, a comprehensive law to provide for free and compulsory education was the mandate of the constitution and the need of the time. The bill envisions free education for all children from age five to 16 in schools established by the federal government and the local government in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). Under the bill, every child, regardless of sex, nationality or race, shall have a fundamental right to free and compulsory education in a neighbourhood school. No school, other than a school established, owned or controlled by the appropriate government, after the commencement of this act, be established or function, without obtaining a certificate of registration from the prescribed authority.
“Any person who establishes or runs a school without obtaining certificate of registration or continues to run a school after withdrawal of registration, shall be liable to fine which may extend to Rs 200,000 and in case of continuing contraventions, to a fine of Rs 25,000 for each day,” the bill said. Speaking in the House, Rehman said the provision of compulsory education was a fundamental right of every children and the bill would ensure better education to the children. Chief Whip of the House Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah praised Rehman for bringing the bill in the House, saying provision of compulsory education to children was enshrined in the constitution.
He said the constitution fully supported the bill and it would be a first step towards this noble cause. Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho also congratulated the House and Yasmeen Rehman for passing such an important bill. She said the bill would not only remove the sense of deprivation of the poor in the society, but also ensure quality education.