To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what information her Department holds on the prevalence of (a) religious bias in education policy and (b) religious hate material in textbooks in Sindh and Punjab states in Pakistan; and if she will make a statement.
Answered on
10 July 2018
DFID does not hold information on the prevalence of religious bias in education policy. However, respect for human rights, including the provisions of non-discrimination and protection for freedom of religion is one of the four Partnership Principles that guide the DFID Pakistan programme, and which are also set out in Pakistan’s constitution. A Partnership Principles Assessment provides the basis for regular bilateral assistance talks between the UK and Pakistan and is regularly reviewed.
While DFID has not carried out a general review of textbooks in Sindh, we have reviewed textbooks used in DFID supported non-government primary schools in Sindh. DFID has carried out an internal review of textbooks used in the public sector in Punjab and KP.