By Naz Dana 8 August 2023
Education is essential to our modern-day lives as it provides us with the necessary knowledge and skills to thrive in our personal and professional endeavors. Education is the basic right of any state struggling to prosper and shape society in a civilized way. When it comes to the prosperity and development of the state, education is the single most factor in reducing poverty in the country and contributes to strengthening the national economy. Moreover, it plays an integral part in the international community by making waves in global platforms by competing in the world of technology through which a country gets global recognition. Ostensibly, education is a fundamental human right that should be accessible to all, regardless of their background or circumstances as it is an Internationally recognized human right that has to be given to all.
Talking about Balochistan which is said to be the largest province in Pakistan, encompasses approximately 43.6% of the country’s total land area. Its location at the convergence of Central Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East has rendered Balochistan a region of considerable strategic importance. Unfortunately, Balochistan the forsaken province lags behind all the other provinces of Pakistan in comparison to education or other developmental schemes. When it comes to educational opportunities or access to education, Balochistan is the most neglected province where access to proper education is sadly not observed.
Most importantly, Balochistan has been abandoned for various reasons, including a lack of investment in infrastructure, limited access to resources, and security challenges. The province’s remote location and harsh topography have made it difficult to develop infrastructure and provide basic services such as education. Additionally, the ongoing conflict in the region has caused security challenges, making it difficult for children to attend school and for teachers to work in the area. These factors have contributed to the negligence of education in Balochistan. Besides, the province has one of the lowest literacy rates in the country, with many children being unable to read or write. This lack of education has resulted in limited opportunities for the people of Balochistan, further worsening the region’s economic and social challenges.
The government has a critical role to play in improving and advancing the education sector in Balochistan. This includes more than merely constructing buildings, but also ensuring a proper channel to monitor progress and guarantee that a large number of students, both boys and girls, have access to all the necessary resources. This includes highly qualified teachers and a supportive environment that takes the students’ hygiene into consideration. Without a doubt, it is impossible to generate a better generation of students without excellent teachers who can ensure a safe future by imparting knowledge in the best possible way. However, access to such facilities is currently non-existent, which is unfortunate for students and citizens of Balochistan. Sadly, Students from this province have been subjected to partial treatment in all parts of Pakistan, which is a harsh reality. Furthermore, there is a complete lack of checks and balances, and all funds allocated to the education sector are exploited. In this manner, how can we expect a better or more secure future?
The relationship between Balochistan and education is intertwined, and if the circumstances in Balochistan are stable, the people will thrive and be more inclined to learn. However, the situation in Balochistan is far from ideal, and everything has been impacted negatively, whether due to internal or external factors. This raises several questions about the state of education in Balochistan. Why has the education sector not improved? Why are there still gaps in the implementation of education policies? Why has the education system in Balochistan not undergone any significant reforms?
In order to improve education in Balochistan, a comprehensive approach is required that addresses various challenges facing the province. Balochistan should be treated equally to Punjab or Sindh, as these provinces receive better opportunities and education. A conducive policy should be developed and strictly implemented to ensure that everyone in the province has access to education and is of a high standard. merit over quota should be the first priority of the education department in all over Pakistan specifically Balochistan. There should be no compromise on the quality and equitable access to education in any institution. Furthermore, it is the state’s responsibility to provide opportunities and a secure future for the youth of Balochistan. If these issues are not addressed, it will continue to see a decline in the literacy rate in Balochistan, which will lead to the downfall of the province’s youth. And more importantly, financing in infrastructure such as schools, roads, and electricity, providing resources such as textbooks and trained teachers and addressing security concerns to ensure that children can attend school safely. Additionally, promoting community involvement and awareness about the importance of education could help to increase enrollment rates and improve educational outcomes in the province.
Writer is working as Assistant Research Fellow at Balochistan Think Tank Network (BTTN).