Quetta: In a landmark step for education, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti inaugurated the Balochistan first-ever School Transport Program, announcing a significant reduction in the number of out-of-school children as a result of ongoing reforms.
The launch ceremony at Government Girls College Jinnah Town marked a major milestone in the government’s efforts to boost student enrollment and accessibility. CM Bugti personally handed over keys of the newly procured yellow school buses to the heads of various institutions.
“We promised the public that no highway in Balochistan would be closed in the name of protest, and today, that promise has been fulfilled. Now, we promise a merit-based system where every deserving individual receives their due,” the Chief Minister stated, describing the transport initiative as a dream realized particularly for female education.
The Chief Minister outlined impressive achievements from the education reforms, including the merit-based hiring of 14,000 teachers, reactivation of 3,200 previously non-functional schools, and enrollment of 94,000 new students. He noted a remarkable 60% increase in college attendance and revealed that 32,000 students are enrolled in 600 community schools.
With an annual budget of Rs 79 million allocated for the transport program, CM Bugti announced plans to introduce a Public-Private Partnership model in education, replicating its successful application in healthcare. He expressed confidence that all remaining closed schools would reopen after the winter break.
Meanwhile a stunning revelation about the Afghan students studying in the universities of Balochistan has been made.
According to a report, as many as 201 Afghan students are studying in the universities of Balochistan.
The stats suggests that the exact number of the Afghan students studying in the universities of Balochistan is 201.
Out of the 201, 84 students are studying in the University of Balochistan, 59 students in BUITEMS Univerity, 22 in the Loralai University and 36 Afghan female students are studying in the Women University.
The administration of the university has said that most of the students have repatriated after winding up their education.
The administrations have further said that all such students are advised to go back to their country and return to Pakistan with a visa.
The administration has further said that the universities of Balochistan have eliminated the quota of the Afghan students.
It is worth mentioning that Pakistan has had a clear stance about the Afghan nationals residing illegally in Pakistan.
Pakistan aims a peaceful and early repatriation of all such Afghan nationals who have been residing in Pakistan for the past five decades.
