Inmate education: AIOU to expand efforts in Pindi central jail

Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) Vice-Chancellor Dr Shahid Siddiqui and additional secretary Wafaqi Mohtasib SM Tahir visited Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, to explore the possibility of enhancing educational facilities available to prisoners.

In his meeting with Adiala Jail Senior Superintendent Mushtaq Ahmed Awan, the vice-chancellor (VC) said the varsity plans to launch a comprehensive educational plan for prisoners, while continuing to provide examination facilities within the jail, arranging academic workshops and tutorial meetings, a press release issued said on Friday.

Siddiqui said he believed education was essential for inmates to have a productive and respectable life after completing their imprisonment. He said AIOU is the only public university offering free education to prisoners, with 300 student inmates enrolled. AIOU also plans to launch short-term skill-based training courses, and offer vocational education to female prisoners.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1^st, 2015.