QUETTA: The Balochistan government has approved a series of education reforms aimed at increasing literacy rates and improving access to schooling across the province.
The decisions were approved during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti.
Officials said the government will abolish the mandatory school uniform requirement at the primary level. The move aims to reduce barriers to enrollment and encourage more children to attend school.
The meeting also agreed that boys and girls will be allowed to receive primary education in the same schools. A proposed policy to designate primary schools as “gender-neutral” institutions will be presented to the provincial cabinet for approval.
To boost literacy, the government will introduce a double-shift teaching system in 900 schools across the province. Authorities also approved a significant increase in the salaries of National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) teachers, whose pay had remained frozen for years.
The provincial secretary for schools education told the meeting that additional classrooms will be built in 3,000 single-room schools by next year. The government will also introduce standardized reading and writing materials in public schools.
Bugti announced an end to the long-standing practice of children sitting on mats during lessons in government schools.
He directed officials to provide desks to every school and said no child should be forced to study while sitting on the floor.
“The world has moved far ahead. It is unacceptable for our children to continue studying on mats,” Bugti said.
He warned that action would be taken against responsible officials if students were still found sitting on mats after the implementation deadline.
The chief minister also said he would personally conduct surprise inspections of schools in remote areas. He pledged to visit any location, including by helicopter if necessary, to assess educational facilities and monitor progress.
The meeting also reviewed plans for the next provincial budget. Participants agreed on a broad reform agenda covering education, healthcare and law and order.
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Bugti said promoting confidence, dignity and self-respect among children was a key priority and pledged continued government support for improving educational opportunities across Balochistan.
