UN reports reveals dismal state of education affairs in Balochistan

QUETTA (6 AM Report): A recent report on education in Balochistan has shown that the province is the most underprivileged and neglected in Pakistan when it comes to education, health, and human rights. According to the report, there should be about 27 lakh children attending school in the total population of Balochistan, but only 9 lakh children are currently enrolled in schools. This means that 18 lakh children are not attending school.
The province has a total of 12,347 schools, of which only 6% are high schools. 76% of children in Balochistan attend government schools, while 19% attend private schools and 5% attend religious schools. Out of these, 216 schools are currently inactive, while 37% of the remaining schools only have one classroom. Additionally, 14% of teachers are absent from schools, yet they still receive their salaries. The report also reveals that the dropout rate among students is alarmingly high. While 8,653,337 children have been enrolled in primary schools, only 1,91,300 students have progressed to middle schools. This is a dangerous trend, and urgent measures need to be taken to address the situation. The report also shows that the literacy rate is low, with only 37% of men and 15% of women being literate. This rate is even lower in rural areas, where it is less than 35%.
This situation calls for immediate attention from the government and relevant stakeholders. They need to take proactive measures to ensure that every child in Balochistan has access to quality education and healthcare services. This will help in the province’s development and also promote a more equitable society.