LAHORE . July 20, 2022. The National Commission for Justice and Peace, a human rights body of the Catholic Church demanded to shape up the Education policy and curricula in line with International Human Rights framework (IHRF).
Addressing a press conference at Lahore Press Club here on Wednesday,
the panel members addressing the conference suggested that the curriculum should be in line with international human rights standards.
The panel stressed that article 22(1) of the constitution of Pakistan must not be violated as it promises safeguards for religious minorities in the learning environment. The government should therefore not allow embedding religious content in compulsory subjects.
Expressing their deep concerns on the lowest budget for education in the region they called it a serious issue, hindering the implementation of article 25-A of the constitution of Pakistan as well as the international laws and commitments.
The speakers noted that the SNC does not carry the required national consensus and clearly violates the rights of the provinces granted by the 18th Constitutional Amendment.
They thus demanded that the government immediately stop imposition of SNC on provinces, and place the matter before the “Council of Common Interest”. The SNC is not up to the mark and even the provincial representation is missing and relevant to the local realities.
In the meantime, the provinces should frame and implement their own policies, curricula, and textbooks in line with international standards.
The Panel suggested the Punjab government to initiate a meaningful consultative process to adopt a qualitative and inclusive education policy, curriculum and textbook’s content. The members expressed their hope that sincere efforts will be made to save education from any deterioration.
Naeem Yousaf Gill (Executive director NCJP), Amir Riaz (Researcher/Journalist), Dr. Aneel Samuel (Professor F.C College), Ataurehman Saman and Kashif Aslam (NCJP) addressed the press conference.