Speakers say religious influences adversely affecting education, need reform. PHOTO: FILE
PESHAWAR: After a delay of almost seven years, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has finally decided to make a law ensuring free and compulsory education to children between the ages five and 16 in the province.
The bill titled, “The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Free Compulsory Primary and Secondary Education Act,” will be presented before the provincial cabinet for approval today.
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Under Article-25A – inserted in the constitution via the 18th amendment in 2010 – the state shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of five to sixteen years.
The proposed bill – a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune – makes it obligatory for parents in the province to send their children to schools until they complete their secondary education. It also adds that the government will provide free compulsory education to all the children.
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Parents who fail to send their children to school without any reasonable excuses defined in the law will be liable for imprisonment which may be extended for a month or fine which may be extended to Rs100 for every day after being convicted before a judicial magistrate.
The government will constitute a School Attendance Authority for each school to keep a check. The authority will ensure that every child attends school.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 24th, 2017.
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