The Central Development Working Party (CDWP), under the chairmanship of Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, has approved six new Daanish school projects for Balochistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), with a total estimated cost of Rs19.25 billion. This initiative aligns with the federal government’s objective to address Pakistan’s pressing educational challenges.
Regional Breakdown of Approved Projects
The following districts have been selected for the establishment of new Daanish schools, along with their estimated costs:
- Qilla Saifullah, Balochistan – Rs2.93 billion
- Sibi, Balochistan – Rs3.35 billion
- Baiker (Dera Bugti), Balochistan – Rs2.67 billion
- Musakhel, Balochistan – Rs3.63 billion
- Zhob, Balochistan – Rs3.63 billion
- Bagh, AJK – Rs3.04 billion
These projects operate under a 50-50 cost-sharing arrangement between federal and provincial/regional governments, ensuring collaborative investment.
Purpose and Vision
The primary objective is to establish fully functional, state-of-the-art boarding schools that cater to students from Grades 6 to 12. These institutions will offer:
- Advanced educational technologies and a modern curriculum focusing on digital literacy, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
- On-campus residential facilities for staff.
- Safe and inspiration-rich educational environments for balanced personal and academic growth.
The government intends for these schools to stand as model institutions for quality education, particularly in underserved regions.
Addressing the Education Crisis
During the meeting, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal noted that over 25 million children in Pakistan remain out of school. He underlined the critical need to raise the country’s literacy rate to 90%, labeling it a fundamental requirement for national progress. He emphasized federal support for projects like Daanish Schools as key investments in future generations and as part of the Public Sector Development Programme.
Preliminary steps toward land allocation and feasibility studies for these schools are already underway, underscoring the government’s commitment to education as a central pillar of development.
