ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training on Wednesday appreciated the government for including relevant articles of the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973, in the curriculum and said this would enable the Pakistani youth to learn and understand their basic rights.

The committee meeting was held under the chairmanship of Makhdoom Syed Samiul Hassan Gillani, MNA.

On the matter referred by the House regarding introducing and teaching of the Constitution of Pakistan as a subject in the education syllabus (moved by Khursheed Ahmed Junejo, MNA), the committee was informed that the ministry, on the directions of the Prime Minister’s Strategic Reforms Initiatives (PMSRI), inculcated understanding of relevant articles of the Constitution among school and college students through Pakistan Studies’ curriculum for grades 9 to 12.

This will create a wide-scale awareness among the Pakistani youth about the Constitution including their fundamental rights and enabling them to play an effective role as citizens of Pakistan.

The committee while appreciating the government for including relevant articles of the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973, in the curriculum held that this will enable the Pakistani youth to learn and understand their basic rights.

Responding to the question raised by Tahira Aurangzeb, MNA, about steps being taken by the present government to increase the literacy rate in the country, the ministry held that as a result of concerted efforts, the government had succeeded in reducing illiteracy and by the end of June 2023 no child will be out of school.

The committee, noting the claim, held that it will be a great service to the country if it is materialised.

About the presentation of the Syndicate’s report, the committee directed the Vice Chancellor, Islamia University Bahawalpur (IUB), to provide minutes of the 81st meeting of the Syndicate and also lodge FIR against the accused within one week.

On the bill titled as, “The Protection of Family Life and Wedlock Bill, 2023” (moved by Javaria Zafar Aheer, MNA), the committee was informed by the DG, FDE, that on the appointment of the Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC) by the Standing Committee in its previous meeting, the IDC held its meeting in the ministry, however, the IDC members had solicited more time to further discuss the pros and cons of the bill in detail.

The committee, while extending the time period of the IDC for submission of its report, directed the DG (FDE) to take on board the mover of the bill while accomplishing the task.

The committee recommended that the bills titled, “The Metropolitan International Institute of Science and Technology Bill, 2023” and “The Askari Institute of Higher Education Bill, 2023” (moved by Wajiha Qamar, MNA) and “The National Institute of Technology Bill, 2023” (moved by James Iqbal, MNA) may be passed by the National Assembly.

However, the committee referred the bill titled, “The Institute of Management and Technology Bill, 2023” (moved by Dr Nafisa Shah, MNA) to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) suggesting the mover to get the requisite NOC from the HEC before further consideration thereupon on the bill.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023