KARACHI: In a significant step towards promoting religious tolerance, harmony and inclusive educational initiatives in government schools, the Sindh School Education and Literacy Departmen has decided to publish religious textbooks for Hindu students studying in government schools across the province.

On the directives of Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah, a formal letter has been issued to the Sindh Textbook Board directing the publication and distribution of religious textbooks for Hindu students from Grades 3 to 5 for the academic year 2026–27. In this regard, permission has also been granted for the preparation and publication of curriculum material after consultation with Hindu Santha and other relevant representative organisations and experts.

In his statement, the education minister said that providing children belonging to different religious communities with their religious rights under the principles of tolerance reflects the government’s commitment to safeguarding minority rights. He stated, “We have taken a step that should have been implemented in the very early days after the creation of the country.”

The provincial minister said that in the past, students belonging to minority religions were taught Ethics instead of education related to their own faith. However, the government is now formally recognising this right by providing Hindu students with religious education according to their beliefs. He added, “We cannot deprive any religious community of its fundamental rights.”

He further said that the Pakistan Peoples Party has always believed in building an inclusive and tolerant society.

According to details, important decisions regarding the provision of religious education for Hindu students were taken during a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Sindh Curriculum Council. Under these decisions, the textbook board will publish religious books for the upcoming academic year, and these textbooks will also be distributed among Hindu students enrolled in government schools across the province.

According to official statistics, there are currently 129,119 Hindu students enrolled in Grades 3 to 5 in government schools across Sindh. Tharparkar district has the highest number with 26,642 students, followed by Umerkot district with 21,584 Hindu students studying. In the first phase, textbooks will be published for Grades 3 to 5.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026