One of the most alarming yet underreported issues in Balochistan’s education sector is the widespread presence of ghost teachers and chronically absent teachers. These teachers are actually on the payroll of government schools but remain absent from their duties for long periods, leaving students without proper education. This dual problem has left many government schools non-functional, especially in remote and underdeveloped areas.
These are poor-fee schools meant to serve children from families who cannot afford the high fees of private institutions. For them, the government is the only hope. Unfortunately, that hope has been crushed.
This issue persists due to weak monitoring, lack of accountability and political interference. In many cases, these teachers are appointed through political favoritism or corruption. The consequences are far-reaching. Children’s basic education and literacy rates are low, and public trust in the education system continues to decline. This is the destruction of innocent children’s precious time, learning and future.
Teaching deserves to be pursued as an honest, noble profession that is respected and should include only those who are qualified and sincere in their duties. Individuals who are not committed to their responsibilities should not be allowed to hold such an important role. This must be addressed immediately.
The government should take strong steps to identify and remove ghost and non-performing teachers. Recruitment should be based on merit and integrity, and regular monitoring must be ensured. Every child deserves a quality education and teachers who are held accountable for delivering it.
Zarnaz Akhtar
Turbat
