Syed Ali Shah :
Despite the allocation of more than 90 billion rupees for the education sector in the budget for the year 2023-24, still more than 2 million children are out of school in Balochistan. Much has been said and repeated promises have been made by successive governments, nevertheless, the number of out-of-school children has grown. The alarming rise of out-of-school children means the potential of a generation is lost and the future of out-of-school children is at stake.
The number of enrolled students in government schools is 1,119,925, the report mentioned. The students studying in private schools are in addition to this. However, no data about the private schools’ enrollment is available.
Balochistan’s Silent Crisis
The province has not conducted any survey to assess the learning quality of students studying in over 15,000 government-run primary, middle and high schools across Balochistan. As per a confidential report obtained by Daily Quetta Voice, still over 2 million children are out of school. It has been evident that the law and order situation always overshadows the education issue.
Caretaker Education Minister Balochistan, Qadir Bakhsh Baloch revealed that there was no toilet facility in 5716 government-run schools of the province. Such data has been repeatedly shared by every new education minister. Enough is enough, the rulers must go beyond statements and translate their words into action.
Breaking the chains of illiteracy
The literacy rate in Balochistan is 46 percent as per statistics obtained from the education department with 61 percent male and 29 percent female. If our government and policymakers are committed to breaking the chains of illiteracy, then, they have to make sure the enrollment of every child in school and every teacher in class. This strategy offers the panacea to this alarming problem.
Children of Balochistan also deserve better and the government must launch a practical education emergency to enroll all out-of-school children in the province. Otherwise, the impact of out-of-school children is huge for the country and nation.
