ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Monday passed a bill to provide education for all children of the age of five to sixteen in schools established by the Federal Government and Local Government in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).
'The Right to Free and Compulsory Education Bill, 2011' was jointly introduced by Saeeda Iqbal Chaudhry of PPP, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain of PML, Begum Najma Hameed of PML-N and Farah Aqil of MQM and unanimously passed by the Upper House of the Parliament.
The statement of objects and reasons of the Bill says, “Article 25A of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973 provides for free education to all children of aged five to sixteen as a Fundamental Right and its provision is a responsibility of the State. Accordingly, a comprehensive law to provide for free and compulsory education is the mandate of the Constitution and the need of the time.”
“Every child regardless of sex, nationality or race has a fundamental right to free and compulsory education in a neighbourhood,” says the bill.
According to the Bill where a child has not been admitted in any school or though admitted, could not complete his education, then he shall be admitted in an appropriate class.
Provided that he shall, in order to be at par with others, have a right to receive special training, in such manner, and within one academic year. For the purposes of admission to a school, the age of a child shall be determined on the basis of the birth certificate issued as prescribed. Provided that no child shall be deprived admission in a school for lack of proof of age.
The bill says that every school, other than the one not receiving any kind of aid or grants from the appropriate government, shall constitute a School Management Committee consisting of the representatives of the government, teachers and parents.
The Committee besides other things, shall monitor the general working of the school. It will also ensure that every child required to attend a school under this Act attends a school and for this purpose, it shall take steps as may be considered necessary.
The Bill makes it necessary for teachers to perform certain duties such as maintaining regularity and punctuality in attending the school; complete the curriculum within the specified time and asses the learning abilities of every child and supplement additional instructions, if any, as required.
It also necessary for teachers to make the child free of fear, trauma and anxiety and to express views freely and hold regular meetings with parents and share the relevant information about the child.
The parents of a child shall, except in the case of a reasonable excuse, cause a child to attend a school in the neighbourhood until the said child has completed the prescribed education.
The Bill says that every school shall, so far as its reasonable and practicable so to do, provide for the medical and dental inspection, at appropriate intervals, of the students. Speaking in the House on the bill Senator Saeeda Iqbal said, “the Bill will also help improve standard of education in Islamabad Capital Territory. It will also serve as role model for the provinces.”
Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhaddi of MQM termed the bill people- friendly and said education was the right of every child.
Farah Aqil of ANP said that Bill was very important and provinces could follow it. Senators Haji Adeel, Farahatullah Babar, Kalsoom Parveen, Hamayun Khan Mendokhel, Khalida Parveen and Komal Ali Agha also spoke in favour of the Bill.
