QUETTA: Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area and rich in natural resources, continues to face one of the country’s highest school dropout rates.
Officials say 59 percent of children leave school at the primary level, including 61 percent boys and 59 percent girls.
Economic pressure, child labour, long distances to schools, and a lack of basic facilities remain the main causes of the crisis, according to education authorities.
The Balochistan government has now introduced an Early Warning System (EWS) in public schools to protect children’s education and reduce dropout rates. Officials describe the initiative as a “historic step” for the province.
The system aims to identify, at an early stage, children at risk of leaving school due to academic, social, or economic factors. Schools will then offer targeted support to keep them enrolled.
The School Education Department developed the system with UNICEF and the Global Partnership for Education. The design is based on a 2016–2021 study that examined the root causes of dropping out. The initiative aligns with the vision of Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and Education Minister Raheela Ameen Durrani to ensure continuity in learning.
Under the new mechanism, each student’s attendance, behaviour, and academic performance will be monitored through digital software. If a child shows declining performance, disengagement, or frequent absences, the system will automatically flag the student as high-risk.
Schools will then intervene in coordination with parents to prevent the child from leaving education.
The digital system relies on OMR sheets and automated scanning tools to ensure accuracy. The department has already trained teachers across Quetta and summer-zone districts for the rollout.
In its pilot phase, the Early Warning System will be introduced in 1,500 schools. Authorities plan to test the model on 100 students from 100 schools in the first round. Schools will also receive upgraded digital facilities to support modern teaching methods.
Officials say the initiative marks a major step toward reducing dropout rates and strengthening Balochistan’s education system.
A report released earlier this month had stated that nearly three million children out of school in Balochistan and almost 59 percent dropping out before completing primary education. The crisis reflects deep socio-economic inequality and chronic institutional neglect.
