Book Van, Science Ride expand learning access in Balochistan villages

QUETTA: The Balochistan education department, with support from Unicef, is running the ‘Book Van’ and ‘Science Ride’ projects in remote parts of the province to take learning opportunities directly to children in villages.

According to an official statement, the initiative is being implemented in 14 districts to help students in far-flung areas gain access to knowledge through books. The statement said the programme, which began as mobile schools, has developed into travelling libraries, teaching centres and modern science units.

These mobile facilities have increased children’s involvement in education and created fresh opportunities for learning in places where educational resources are limited. The statement added that the mobile science lab was helping encourage scientific thinking, curiosity and a spirit of learning in underserved areas.

Projects active in 14 districts

Officials said the ‘Book Van’ project is currently operating in Zhob, Qila Saifullah, Loralai, Pishin, Chaman, Quetta, Lasbela, Hub, Gwadar, Jaffarabad, Kachhi, Kech, Jhal Magsi and Nushki. They said the ‘Science Ride’ is functioning in Jaffarabad district.

The initiative has drawn a positive response from students, while district officials said children were showing growing interest in books and described the programme as a constructive step by the provincial government and Unicef.

Zainab Shambay, a female student, said, “We got great opportunities to gain knowledge through books which were displayed in the vehicles. We purchased many books on different subjects,” adding that such “Book Van” journeys should also be arranged in other districts of Balochistan.

Another girl student said, “Books are key to knowledge and reaching a high level. Our teachers reached there through reading books.”

Chief minister praises initiative

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti also appreciated the programme. He said such creative and courageous efforts were a strong guarantee of a brighter and more educated future for the province.

The projects are aimed at reaching children in underdeveloped and remote areas where regular educational facilities are limited, using mobile units to bring books, teaching support and science learning closer to students.

The official statement described the initiative as an effort to illuminate the path of knowledge in villages by delivering education door to door. The evolving model of mobile learning was offering children in distant communities a new way to connect with books and educational activities.