LAHORE - Supreme Court ordered the Constitution of a Committee headed by the Higher Education Commission to develop a road map to ensure basic education for every child.
Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mian Saqib Nisar heard a suo motu case on provision of basic education to every child from age 5 to 16 in the country, under the Article 25-A of the Constitution. Justice Umar Ata Bandial and Justice Ijazul Ahsan were other members of the bench.
The bench directed the officials to prepare a “One book, one bag and one uniform” road map for children. The bench members thought of this plan in order to eliminate illiteracy from our community. This is the first time in the country’s history that a top judge has taken up the matter of provision of basic education to children.
The bench ordered constitution of a committee headed by HEC Chairman Dr. Mukhtar with education secretaries of all four provinces, amicus curiae Bilal Minto and others as members. The court directed the committee to hold meetings, select members and provide a road map within a month as to how education could be provided to every child in the country. “We appreciate that private schools have a great role in imparting education, but the question is how can a poor child afford education there?” the judge asked. “Awareness comes through knowledge and educated nations become developed ones,” he remarked. “Look at Sri Lanka where literary rate is up to 99 per cent,” he told the officers present on the occasion.
The court was adjourned and decision along with committee making will be settled soon.
