Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to support programmes to tackle discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief in educational systems in (a) Nigeria and (b) Pakistan; and if she will make a statement.

The UK Government is committed to equal treatment and equality of opportunity. The Equality Act of 2010, under Section 149, requires that all public bodies, including DFID, consider the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations when making policy decisions and delivering programmes. The Act covers a number of protected characteristics, including religion. In both Nigeria and Pakistan, we have professional education advisers who design and monitor our programmes carefully. We work to build inclusive education systems in these countries, which makes a positive contribution to the lives of millions of children.