EU Funding for Education in Pakistan Sparks Concerns Over Religious Indoctrination

The European Union has long supported global education initiatives overseas, including in Pakistan.
In 2022, the EU allocated €10 million to Sindh province to strengthen provincial education policies, as part of broader funding under the EU Multi-Annual Indicative Programme 2021–2027.

While this financial assistance is aimed at improving educational standards and accessibility, recent concerns have emerged over the potential misuse of these funds, raising questions about transparency and accountability.

EU Funding for education in Pakistan and its Intent

The EU’s financial support to Pakistan’s education sector seeks to address critical challenges, including improving access to quality education and promoting equitable learning opportunities. The funding is part of the EU’s broader commitment to supporting sustainable development goals, particularly those related to education. Sindh, one of Pakistan’s most populous provinces, has historically struggled with low literacy rates, outdated infrastructure, and poor teacher training.

The €10 million allocated to Sindh was intended to strengthen the implementation of provincial education policies.

However, concerns have surfaced about how these funds are being utilised. Critics argue there is insufficient oversight to ensure that EU taxpayers’ money is spent on improving secular education rather than supporting institutions that promote religious indoctrination.

Concerns Over Curriculum and Religious Content

Reports suggest that Pakistan’s single national curriculum, applied in state and private schools, includes significant Islamic religious content across subjects such as Urdu, English, civic education, and history. This curriculum is mandatory even in schools attended by non-Muslim children, raising concerns about the potential for religious indoctrination.

The inclusion of religious content in subjects unrelated to theology poses a particular challenge for non-Muslim students, who may be compelled to learn material that conflicts with their personal beliefs. This issue has sparked broader concerns about religious freedom and inclusivity within Pakistan’s education system.

Moreover, there is no guarantee that EU funds are not being used to support Islamic madrassas, which are often criticised for focusing heavily on religious instruction at the expense of broader academic subjects.

While madrassas play an important role in providing education to underserved communities, they have also faced allegations of promoting sectarian ideologies.

According to the New York Times (Jan 3rd 2025) the madrassas represent a potential threat. The institutions have long been accused of contributing to violence and radicalisation, supplying recruits for the Taliban, Al Qaeda and other militant groups.

Previously, in 2021, the NYT reported that “Darul Uloom Haqqania madrassa, one of Pakistan’s largest and oldest seminaries, has educated more Taliban leaders than any school in the world.”

Questions to the European Commission
In light of these concerns, Bert-Jan Ruissen, a member of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group in the European Parliament, has submitted questions to the European Commission. He seeks clarity on the mechanisms in place to monitor the use of EU funds and ensure that they are not contributing to religious indoctrination.

Specifically, Ruissen has asked the Commission to outline any measures it employs to identify Islamic religious content that permeates general subjects in state schools. He has also inquired about restrictive measures or sanctions that the EU could impose in cases where breaches of funding agreements are identified.

Additionally, Ruissen has called on the Commission to commit to transparency by making public any violations of agreements with Pakistan. This would aim to safeguard the rights of non-Muslim children and ensure that education funded by the EU aligns with its principles of inclusivity and respect for diversity.

The Broader Implications

The concerns surrounding EU funding for education in Pakistan highlight the complexities of international development aid. While financial assistance can play a critical role in addressing systemic challenges, ensuring that funds are used appropriately is equally important.

The case also underscores the broader challenges of promoting religious freedom and pluralism in countries with deeply ingrained religious influences in education. The EU must strike a delicate balance between supporting Pakistan’s development goals and upholding its own values of human rights and religious tolerance.

Moving Forward

The European Commission’s response to Ruissen’s questions will likely set the tone for future funding agreements with Pakistan and other countries facing similar challenges.

Enhanced monitoring mechanisms, stricter accountability measures, and greater transparency will be essential to ensure that EU funds achieve their intended goals without inadvertently supporting activities that undermine the principles of equality and inclusivity.

As the EU continues to support education initiatives worldwide, the situation in Pakistan serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance, oversight, and a steadfast commitment to upholding the values that underpin international aid.

Written by Joseph Janssen