Education crisis in Balochistan
Despite being the country’s largest province, Balochistan has long struggled with infrastructure issues, particularly a deficient education system. Thousands of students in the province are being denied their right to education due to prolonged administrative negligence and mismanagement. According to official data, around 0.8 million school-age children are currently out of school, and 1,964 schools lack proper buildings. The challenges worsened with the superfloods in 2022, which led to the destruction of over 5,500 schools. Unfortunately, only 50 of these schools have been repaired to date. Adding to these difficulties, the province is now grappling with a shortage of teachers.
Half of Balochistan’s 12,000 primary schools have only one teacher. With more than 300 teachers retiring each month and the absence of a proper recruitment mechanism, numerous schools are at risk of being left without teachers. The caretaker government has announced plans to enhance 150 primary schools in the province. However, these initiatives may yield minimal results if the mismanagement of funds and corrupt practices persist. Past grievances from provincial officials, teachers and students highlight concerns about nepotism in the education sector, leading to the appointment of incompetent and underqualified teachers. This, combined with an outdated curriculum and the lack of modern teaching equipment, has significantly impacted the quality of education in Balochistan.
The provision of basic amenities, including electricity, water and washrooms, remains a critical concern for the majority of schools. With over 80% of the education budget allocated to salaries, it is evident that a strategic and holistic approach is needed to revitalise the education system in Balochistan. Urgent and concerted efforts, encompassing effective recruitment strategies, infrastructural improvements and curriculum modernisation, are imperative to reverse the current trend and ensure a bright educational future for the province.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 26th, 2023.
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