New Pakistani legislation establishes right to free education
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 13 November 2012 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, New Pakistani legislation establishes right to free education, 13 November 2012, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/50b4d0c323.html [accessed 6 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
November 13, 2012
Pakistan has the second-worst global rate of children out of classrooms.
The lower house of the Pakistani parliament has adopted a bill that guarantees universal free education to all children between the ages of 5 and 16.
The bill – called the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Bill – has already been adopted by the Senate, the upper house of the Pakistani parliament.
Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Khurshid Shah told the National Assembly that providing free and compulsory education to children is the basic priority of the government.
According to UN figures, Pakistan has the second-worst global rate of children out of classrooms, with nearly 5.1 million children out of school.
Girls constitute a majority of those out of school.
Based on reporting from tribune.com.pk and the BBC
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
