Education Rights Parliament warns against interim's rush to Education Act 2026

The Education Rights Parliament has voiced grave concerns over the interim government’s reported move to fast-track the approval of the draft Education Act 2026. In a statement released on Saturday, the advocacy group warned that rushing such a foundational law during the final days of the interim administration's tenure without broad national consensus could jeopardize the future of the country's education system.

The group emphasized that a law of this magnitude requires deep civic engagement and evidence-based analysis, which they claim has been conspicuously absent in the current drafting process.

Democratic Deficit in Policy Making

Convenor Professor Niaz Asadullah, who signed the statement, argued that passing the act now would bypass the necessary democratic participation of stakeholders. The group pointed out several critical flaws in the current approach:

• Lack of Consultation: Since the transition in July 2024, there has been no inclusive national dialogue or the formation of an independent, permanent education reform commission.

• Procedural Haste: Pushing significant legislation at the end of a limited tenure prevents the broad civic debate essential for long-term policy stability.

• Structural Weaknesses: The draft is criticized for largely mirroring existing provisions rather than offering future-oriented reforms or addressing systemic quality issues.

Vague Governance and Implementation Risks

The Education Rights Parliament warned that the draft is riddled with definitional ambiguities and vague governance structures. By leaving policy-critical matters to be decided by subordinate rules later, the group argues the primary legislation fails to provide a clear roadmap for reform.

They further noted that the law should be a tool to legally protect inclusive, high-quality education and mandate corrective measures for current administrative failures. These are aims they believe the current draft does not sufficiently meet.

Call for Postponement

The statement issued a formal plea to the Dr. Yunus-led administration to halt the approval process and leave the final enactment to the next elected government.

"For the past 18 months, education has been the most neglected sector in reform discussions. A hurried education law will be weak and limited. Genuine reform needs time, dialogue, and consensus. That is the best path for the state and future generations." — Prof. M. Niaz Asadullah, Convenor, Education Rights Parliament.

As the nation prepares for the 12 February polls, the call to pause the Education Act adds to the growing pressure on the interim cabinet to focus strictly on transition logistics rather than long-term legislative changes.