File Photo: A girl student at a government-run high school in Balochistan's Pishin district: Photo provided by UNICEF

Education Desk

Quetta: Balochistan Government Plans Major Education Reforms, School Upgrades and Stipends for Female Students

In Quetta, the provincial government has decided to introduce major initiatives to address educational backwardness and improve the overall quality of education across Balochistan.

The decision was taken during a high-level meeting on preparations for the upcoming fiscal year’s budget chaired by Mir Sarfraz Bugti. Senior officials reviewed key priorities for the next budget, with education sector reforms placed at the forefront.

During the meeting, Shakeel Qadir Khan gave a detailed briefing on the proposed budget framework. He informed participants that the government plans to launch a comprehensive five-year program aimed at enrolling out-of-school children into educational institutions throughout the province.

The briefing also highlighted plans to upgrade 679 primary schools and 409 middle schools in the upcoming fiscal year. Officials expressed optimism that the upgradation of nearly 1,000 schools will help address the educational imbalance that has persisted for the past 15 years in the province.

To promote girls’ education, the government is also considering a proposal to provide reasonable monthly stipends to female students, aimed at encouraging enrollment and improving retention rates among girls.

The provincial Planning and Development Department also presented a briefing on 308 departmental development schemes worth approximately Rs174 billion, covering key sectors including education, health, and basic infrastructure.

Speaking at the meeting, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti emphasized that education reforms remain the government’s top priority, stating that ensuring every child has access to school is the responsibility of the state.

He further said that the upcoming provincial budget will prioritize education, healthcare, and the provision of essential public services. According to him, investing in education is essentially investing in the bright future of Balochistan.

The Chief Minister added that the government is working to align educational facilities with modern standards, ensuring that the younger generation gains better opportunities. He also stressed that improving educational institutions in remote areas of the province remains a key focus, and that all relevant departments must work in a coordinated manner to achieve meaningful improvements in the education sector.

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Quetta Voice is an English Daily covering all unfolding political, economic and social issues relating to Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province in terms of area. QV's main focus is on stories related to education, promotion of quality education and publishing reports about out of school children in the province. QV has also a vigilant eye on health, climate change and other key sectors.