Balochistan government to upgrade 1,000 schools and launch five-year education programme

QUETTA: The Balochistan government has announced plans to upgrade nearly 1,000 schools and introduce a five-year initiative aimed at integrating out-of-school children into the formal education system. The decision was made during a provincial government meeting held on Monday to discuss preparations for the upcoming fiscal budget.

Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan provided an overview of the key features of the next fiscal year’s budget, highlighting a strong emphasis on improving the education sector and expanding access to schooling for children who are currently not enrolled. According to officials at the meeting, the government intends to upgrade a total of 679 primary schools and 409 middle schools during the upcoming fiscal year.

Authorities stated that this initiative is designed to address and reduce the educational imbalance that has persisted in the province over the past 15 years. The meeting also considered a proposal to introduce monthly stipends for female students. This measure aims to encourage girls’ education and improve attendance rates in schools across Balochistan.

The planned upgrades and new programmes are part of a broader strategy to enhance educational opportunities and outcomes in the province, with a particular focus on marginalized and underserved communities. The government’s efforts reflect a commitment to tackling longstanding disparities in access to quality education.

The meeting concluded with a review of the proposed measures, which are expected to be included in the upcoming provincial budget. Further details on implementation and funding allocations are anticipated to be announced in the coming weeks.