KARACHI: The Sindh government has announced that children of convicted prisoners in all jails across the province will get free education. This will cover studies from primary school to university level in private institutions. The provincial government will pay for their education costs.
According to the Sindh Prisons Department, there are 27 jails in the province. Three are closed, and 24 are active with about 24,000 prisoners. To help the children of these prisoners get an education, the Sindh Education Department, Prisons Department, and a non-government organization called “Paigham Pakistan” will work together.
On Wednesday, March 12, at Central Jail Karachi, Sindh Education Minister Sardar Ali Shah and Prisons Minister Hassan Ali Zardari started the program. They handed out letters for free education to the children of 100 prisoners at the jail.
Sardar Ali Shah spoke to private media and said that when someone goes to jail, their family struggles, especially with the children’s education. He said that without education, children might turn to crime. He believes it is the government’s job to give equal rights to all citizens.
The minister added that the Sindh government decided to provide free education in good private schools for the children of prisoners.
So far, they have received details of 4,000 children, and letters for free education are being issued. These children can join any good private school, and the Sindh government will cover all their education costs. He also said that once they have full details of all prisoners’ children, they will know how many will get free education.
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Rashid Yameen, a prisoner at Central Jail Karachi for the past eight years, told Independent Urdu that he was worried about his only son’s education after his sentence. He said the Sindh government’s announcement has made prisoners’ families very happy because their children will now study for free.
Another prisoner, Muhammad Naeem, who has been in jail for 10 months with a seven-year sentence, said he has five children and was concerned about their education. He is happy with the government’s decision. His one daughter has already received a letter for free education, and he hopes the other four children will get the same soon.
Professor Meraj, who is in charge of the program, said the Sindh government, through the “Paigham Pakistan” program, will provide free education from primary to university level for prisoners’ children. He said letters for free education are being prepared for more than 3,000 children of prisoners in Sindh jails.
During the event, Sardar Ali Shah said the state is like a mother and must work for the good of all citizens. He said education is important to make prisoners’ children useful members of society.
This step by the Sindh government is seen as a move toward social justice and better education. It will not only give prisoners’ children a chance for a better future but also help reduce crime in society.
