An SHC division bench was hearing a constitutional petition on Saturday, seeking the introduction of a uniform syllabus in government-run and private schools, colleges and universities in Sindh. The petitioner, Islam Hussain, who is the chairman of al Qanoon Foundation, moved the court, appealing against unequal levels of education at public and private schools.
Hussain submitted that the syllabus in each private educational institute was different and foreign-published books were used mandatorily, unlike at government schools.
Private schools are run like industries and they are not only creating a distinguished class, but are also instilling a sense of deprivation among students from the poor and middle class stratum of society, he submitted. This amounted to discrimination and exploitation not permissible under articles 2A, 3 and 25 of the Constitution, he added.
The petitioner appealed to the court to direct the respondents, federal and Sindh education secretaries and Sindh cabinet division secretary, to introduce a uniform syllabus and ensure the same textbooks are given to students in all education institutes. The hearing was adjourned till February 4.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 30th, 2011.
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