Establishment of 500 community schools in far-flung areas on the cards

Provincial education secretary says campaign kicked off to boost enrolment ratio

QUETTA: Balochistan Education Secretary Noorul Haq Baloch has said that the Balochistan government has finalised a plan to establish 500 community schools in far-flung districts of the province to eliminate illiteracy and bring a vital change in society.

Talking to APP on Thursday, he said the main aim of community schools is to impart quality education in collaboration with local communities.

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He underlined the need of community's involvement in improving educational facilities in the province by formation of Parents Teachers School Meeting Committee (PTSMCs) in all schools.

“The members of PTSMCs should be elected through elections,” he said, adding “community's involvement is imperative in bringing change in the society".

The Balochistan government has invested time and resources in the education sector, he said, adding that the provincial government already introduced reforms in various departments since 2013.

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These reforms were aimed to address the challenges of providing improved infrastructure, devolving key responsibilities, and plugging the shortage of teachers through merit-based recruitments, he added.

“The government has started a campaign in every district to enhance the enrolment ratio to defeat illiteracy in Balochistan. It has established real time monitoring and complaint cells in all district education offices for monitoring teacher's attendance. It has also deducted a sum of Rs60 million from the salaries of absent teachers as fine,” he added.

More than 8,000 teachers would be appointed on merit till the court decision, he said. “There is no ghost teacher in Balochistan as the main reason of ghost schools is shortage of teachers. The government has already upgraded 93 schools from primary to middle and middle to high levels in Gwadar. While many existing schools will also be upgraded in Lasbela district, likewise, two more girls’ schools will also be established in the district.”