The Lahore High Court (LHC) has told the provincial government to make rules based on the Punjab Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2014. These rules are to ensure that private schools follow the law.
Justice Raheel Kamran Sheikh expressed worry about the lack of rules, even though the law has been around for ten years. He said that the government’s inaction has allowed private schools to benefit when they were supposed to help disadvantaged children get an education.
Justice Sheikh said this while giving a verdict on a case where a private school in Sahiwal was denied a registration certificate. He emphasized that every child has the right to free and compulsory education.
He pointed out that the government has a duty to make sure all children between five and sixteen years old get free education, as stated in Article 25-A of the Constitution.
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Despite the law being passed in 2014, Justice Sheikh questioned why disadvantaged children are still being denied education because the government hasn’t made rules to fulfill its responsibilities.
In a case involving the Beaconhouse School System in Okara, the school challenged the decision to not issue a registration certificate. The court ruled in favor of the school and ordered the government to make rules and ensure the school’s registration.
The judge also ordered the Sahiwal education board to make sure students from the school can take exams. Additionally, the government was told to frame rules within a month, including criteria for helping disadvantaged children and keeping records under the law.