SHC seeks list of schools educating 10pc students for free

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the private schools director general to submit a list of schools in the province where 10 per cent of the students are being educated for free in accordance with the Sindh Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2013.

The order came on Thursday on identical petitions filed by rights activists and organisations seeking implementation of the Sindh Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2013.

A counsel for the petitioners said that there are various provisions that require immediate attention of the provincial government for the smooth implementation of the law in letter and spirit.

He pointed out Section 7 of the Act that makes it obligatory for the provincial government and the local authorities to provide funds for implementing the provisions of the Act.

The counsel said that the government is not providing sufficient funds to public schools for quality education and better infrastructure. He requested the court to order a report from the education department about the allocation of funds for the implementation of the law.

The additional law secretary of the School Education & Literacy Department submitted a compliance report regarding implementation of the law as well as provision of funds for quality education to children, schools’ infrastructure and other related issues. According to the minutes of the relevant meeting, certain decisions have been taken and a month’s time will be needed to devise a comprehensive plan for implementation.

The SHC’s division bench headed by Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar observed that prima facie, the decisions mentioned in the minutes of the meeting are very sound and reasonable.

However, he said, the actual matter pertains to addressing proper implementation so that it may not have any cosmetic value but is implemented practically to meet the standards of education in the province. The court directed the education secretary to submit a comprehensive plan within 20 days.

The court also directed the private schools DG to submit a list of private schools where 10 per cent of the students are being provided free education in accordance with the 2013 Act and submit a compliance report by December 11.

In the previous hearing, the education secretary had informed the court that the education department had completed the framework for implementing the law in letter and spirit. He said that various schemes are in progress to improve the infrastructure of public schools and funds have recently been allocated for the purchase of furniture.

He added that steps will be taken to improve the quality of education, curricula and textbooks, as well as governance and human resource management at the schools. Regarding security of the schools, the secretary had said the government is making efforts to provide foolproof security to all the public and private schools.