NCRC holds hearing on expulsion of children from school

Principal told commission about restoration of admission of affected students

The National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC) conducted a hearing on the forced expulsion of school children over their religious affiliation.

NCRC Chairperson Afshan Tehseen presided over the hearing in exercise of the quasi-judicial powers bestowed on the commission under S.15 of the National Commission on the Rights of Child Act, 2017.

The NCRC had summoned the Attock deputy commissioner and the principal of a private school over the expulsion of minority children over their religious affiliation.

The complainant alleged that the school administration violated Article 25 (2) of the Constitution by withdrawing the admission of the students based on their religion.

The assistant commissioner appeared on behalf of the Attock deputy commissioner and informed the commission about his visit to the school and meeting with the parents of the affected students. He told the commission that the school administration has restored the admission of the students along with a three-month waiver in their fee.

The commission said that the school principal confessed to the expulsion of the students and assured the commission of restoring the admissions of the affected students along with a three-month exemption in their fee besides taking measures for their social protection.

While relying on the school education department Lahore's notifications related to private schools, the commission directed the Attock deputy commissioner to hear all parties and facilitate an amicable resolution of the matter within two weeks without compromising on the right to education and protection of the children.

The National Commission on the Rights of the Child is an autonomous child rights institution established under the NCRC Act 2017 to promote and protect rights of children in accordance with the Constitution of Pakistan and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 1^st, 2022.