STAFF CORRESPONDENT

With just nine days to go before the national election, the interim government has published the draft Education Act, 2026, which seeks to phase out coaching centres, private tutoring, and the publication of guidebooks within three to five years of the law’s enactment.

The draft states that the government will frame rules to regulate coaching centres, private tutoring, and the publication of supplementary books such as guidebooks and will continue to discourage such practices as part of efforts to phase them out within the aforementioned timeframe.

The education ministry uploaded the draft to its website on Sunday night and invited public opinion until 5:00pm on February 7.

The sudden move has raised questions about both the intent and the process behind the draft, particularly over the short timeframe allowed for public feedback.

“What kind of initiative is this? There is a serious question about the sincerity and willingness behind it,” said noted educationist Dr Manzoor Ahmed, who headed the Consultation Committee on Primary and Non-Formal

SEE PAGE 10 COL 2