The government of Balochistan has reopened more than 3,700 previously closed schools and enrolled around 100,000 children in a renewed push to revive the province’s struggling education sector, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti said on Tuesday.
Speaking at an event held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Bugti, alongside Education Minister Rahila Hamid Durrani and senior officials, highlighted progress made under the ongoing school enrollment campaign.
Reforms Gain Momentum Amid Longstanding Challenges
Officials said the reopening of schools marks a significant step toward addressing educational gaps in the province. The initiative has provided thousands of children with a second chance at formal education.
Bugti noted that over 12,000 teachers have been recruited strictly on merit, signaling a shift away from past practices where jobs were allegedly sold.
“Ending corruption in recruitment has been a core commitment,” the chief minister said, adding that nearly all recent hiring has been merit-based.
However, despite these gains, the education crisis remains severe. Authorities revealed that nearly 58% of children in Balochistan are still out of school, many of whom have already crossed the typical school-going age.
Digital School Census Launched for First Time
In a major modernization effort, the provincial government has launched a Digital School Census (DSC) and a new Attendance Management Information System.
Under the DSC initiative, comprehensive data of all government schools will be digitized, including:
- Infrastructure and building conditions
- Number of classrooms
- Student enrollment figures
- Teacher records
Officials say this data-driven approach will improve planning, ensure better resource allocation, and enhance transparency.
The attendance system will enable real-time monitoring of administrative staff performance, strengthening accountability across the education department.
Past Policy Decisions Blamed for Setbacks
Bugti acknowledged that past decisions had set the province back, specifically referring to the removal of qualified teachers from Punjab, which he said pushed Balochistan “decades behind” in education development.
He stressed that internal governance failures—not external factors—were largely responsible for the province’s educational decline.
Recognition of Top-Performing Districts
In a symbolic move, the chief minister invited top-performing district officers to inaugurate the new initiatives instead of doing so himself.
Among those honored were:
- Deputy Commissioner Lasbela, Humaira Baloch (first position)
- Deputy Commissioner Sherani, Hazrat Wali Kakar (second position)
The gesture aimed to promote a culture of performance-based recognition within the public sector.
Commitment to Long-Term Reform
Bugti reaffirmed that the government remains committed to merit, transparency, and efficiency, adding that education reforms will continue to expand.
“We want every child in Balochistan to have access to quality and modern education,” he said.
