Govt launches country's first education programme for inmates' children

The Sindh government has launched Pakistan's first-ever programme to support the education of children of convicted prisoners. The launch ceremony, held at Central Jail Karachi, was attended by Sindh's Minister for Education and Mines & Minerals Development, Sardar Ali Shah, and Minister for Prisons, Hasan Ali Zardari.

This initiative, which aims to provide free education from primary school to university, is a joint effort of the Sindh Education Department, the Sindh Prisons Department, and Paigham-e-Pakistan. Under the programme, children of 4,684 convicted inmates in Sindh's jails will receive educational support from primary to university level.

Speaking on the occasion, Sindh Education Minister Sardar Ali Shah emphasised that the state must act like a mother, saying, "We are helping children who have committed no crime. Denying them education would be the greatest injustice because children should not be punished for the actions of their parents." He further stated that just as it is the state's responsibility to punish criminals, it is also the state's duty to ensure education for their children. "We are setting a positive precedent," he added.

Sardar Ali Shah highlighted that Sindh is the first to take such an initiative, and this is the world's first model to support inmates' children from school to higher education. He stated that data on prisoners' children is being collected, and based on their families' preferences, more than 10,000 children will be helped to enroll in schools and universities. He clarified that inmates' children can choose between government and private educational institutions, and the government will provide full support.

In the first phase, admission letters have been issued for 100 children, while data for 2,638 children has been collected, and they will soon receive admission letters in consultation with their families. The provincial minister stressed the importance of filling schools with students and emptying prisons.

Minister for prisons calls for rehabilitation through education

Sindh Minister for Prisons, Hasan Ali Zardari, stated that families of inmates often live a life similar to imprisonment due to the absence of a breadwinner. "We must change the perception of prisons in Sindh into reform centres. Helping inmates' children getting education will integrate entire families into the rehabilitation process," he said.

Hasan further noted that the programme will also assist juvenile inmates in gaining education and vocational skills. Currently, there are 14 convicted juvenile inmates in Sindh and 56 children living in jail with their mothers, for whom educational initiatives are also underway.