Changing lives: AIOU to educate prisoners free of cost

Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has decided to provide free education to prisoners, enabling them to become useful citizens of society after completing their sentences. The university also arranges examination for such inmates. Currently, more than 200 prisoners are enrolled with the university, said a senior official of the AIOU while briefing over the students’ support system. This is in line with the direction of AIOU Vice-Chancellor Dr Shahid Siddiqui of bringing all segments of society into the education net. The university lays special focus on promoting knowledge, skill and good behaviour among its students and provides education to those who cannot afford it, he added. It also gave special consideration to the education of IDPs in North Waziristan. A fund of Rs7 million was allocated for this purpose.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21^st, 2015.