PESHAWAR
In a significant move to foster inclusivity and equal access to education for minority communities, civil society organizations, call upon Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to extend the existing two percent admission quota for minorities to all degree colleges and higher educational institutions across the province.
In a press release issued here Thursday, civil society organizations highlighted that despite the promising step taken by the KP government in 2021, when it approved a two percent admission quota for minority candidates in 27 public sector universities, the actual implementation of this quota remains disappointingly low.
This failure to effectively enforce the allocation underscores the urgency of extending this quota and its vital role in empowering minority communities within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The original intention behind the quota was to promote inclusivity, diversity, and equitable educational opportunities for minority groups, including Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, and others residing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“We believe that extending the two percent education quota for minorities to all degree colleges and higher educational institutions can be a crucial step towards achieving true inclusivity and equal educational opportunities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” stated Qamar Naseem, Program Manager at Blue Veins.
“By doing so, we not only uphold the principles of diversity and fairness but also ensure that minority communities have the chance to contribute meaningfully to society through education and skill development.”
Shams Naveed member of the CSO support group an active minority rights activist said “The education quota for minorities is of paramount importance as it serves as a powerful tool for promoting inclusivity, diversity, and social equity within educational institutions. By providing a dedicated percentage of seats to minority candidates, this policy not only ensures equal access to education but also acknowledges and values the contributions of minority communities”.
The initiative holds particular significance in KP where minority communities have long grappled with socio-economic and educational challenges due to their smaller populations and unique cultural backgrounds.
