QUETTA – The Balochistan government on Tuesday said it was making headway in education by bringing out-of-school children back into classrooms and reopening long-closed institutions. Speaking at an event at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, along with senior officials, shared progress on the ongoing campaign. Education Minister Rahila Hamid Durrani and Secretary Lal Jan Jaffar were also in attendance.
Officials said more than 3,700 previously closed schools have been made functional, with around 100,000 children enrolled — offering many a renewed chance at education.
Teacher Recruitment
The chief minister said over 12,000 teachers have been recruited on merit, underscoring the government’s commitment to ending the practice of selling jobs. He acknowledged past setbacks in the education sector but said reforms are now gaining traction.
Persistent Challenges
Despite these gains, significant challenges persist. Officials noted that nearly 58% of children in the province remain out of school, many of them now beyond the typical school-going age. This indicates that while progress has been made, the scale of the challenge remains immense.
Earth Day Message
On Earth Day, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti said that the day reminds us that the protection and survival of the natural environment is a shared responsibility of all, for which collective awareness and practical measures are indispensable.
In his message, he said that Balochistan is a province rich in natural resources and diverse ecosystems, where there are important natural assets from coastal mangroves to juniper and chilgoza forests in high mountainous areas, which play a key role in climate protection, water resource stability, and public employment.
He said that challenges such as climate change, prolonged drought, and land degradation are affecting the province, which requires urgent and collective measures to address.
Climate Endowment Fund
The Chief Minister stated that the Balochistan government is committed to promoting sustainable development, expanding forest areas, and protecting biodiversity. He urged the people to play a full role in planting trees, conserving water, and protecting natural resources.
The CM expressed satisfaction that Balochistan is the first province in Pakistan to have established its own Climate Endowment Fund and has also formulated a regular policy for its transparent and effective use — a significant step towards addressing climate challenges.
He reiterated the resolve that joint efforts would continue to build a green, strong, and sustainable Balochistan so that a safe and better environment could be provided to the coming generation.
Analysis: Progress Amidst Persistent Challenges
The revival of 3,700 closed schools and the enrolment of 100,000 children are significant achievements for Balochistan’s education sector. The recruitment of over 12,000 teachers on merit represents a shift away from the practice of selling jobs that has plagued the province.
However, the statistic that nearly 58% of children remain out of school is sobering. The province faces immense challenges: a dispersed population, security concerns, lack of infrastructure, and poverty all contribute to low enrolment rates.
The establishment of the Climate Endowment Fund — the first of its kind in Pakistan — is a notable achievement. Balochistan is particularly vulnerable to climate change, with prolonged droughts, land degradation, and water scarcity threatening livelihoods.
As the government celebrates its achievements on Earth Day, the focus must remain on implementation. Schools need not only teachers but also infrastructure, supplies, and security. The Climate Endowment Fund needs transparent management and effective deployment.
The progress is real, but the road ahead is long.
