The education system in Pak-occupied-Balochistan continues to suffer from one of the worst crises in Pakistan, with over 2.8 million children—boys and girls—denied their basic right to education. This alarming statistic exposes the systemic neglect of the province by the Paki establishment, particularly the Army, which has prioritized militarization over the welfare of the region’s people.
Official figures reveal that POB has nearly 5 million school-age children, but only 2.2 million are currently enrolled in schools. Of these, 1.1 million attend underfunded government schools, 700,000 are in private institutions, and just over 300,000 rely on semi-government setups. These figures underline the glaring disparities in access to education, exacerbated by decades of underinvestment and military exploitation.
Crippled Infrastructure
The state of educational infrastructure in POB paints a grim picture of abandonment. A staggering 3,694 schools are non-functional, while 6,995 schools operate with just a single teacher. Over 13,000 schools lack even the most basic facilities, such as boundary walls and functional washrooms, and 1,843 schools lack roofs, leaving children to study under the open sky.
This dismal state of infrastructure is not a failure of resources but of priorities. The Pakistan Army, which dominates the allocation of national budgets, drains funds for military operations in POB under the pretext of countering insurgency while ignoring the needs of the local population.
The crisis is further deepened by stark gender disparities. While 78% of girls and 63% of boys are out of school, the situation in rural areas is even worse, with only 2% of women literate. The absence of basic facilities, such as separate washrooms for girls, combined with societal pressures and security concerns fueled by the militarization of the region, forces many girls to drop out before completing primary school, particularly after reaching puberty.
Impact of Militarization
The province’s educational system is also crippled by a severe shortage of teachers, with 28% of government schools operating without adequate staff. The militarized environment created by the Pakistan Army has worsened this issue, with many teachers fleeing the region due to threats or insecurity, while others have been killed in the ongoing violence. This brain drain of educators is yet another consequence of the army’s oppressive policies in the province.
Natural disasters, such as the catastrophic floods of 2022, have further compounded the education crisis. Over 5,500 schools were destroyed, yet to date, only 50 have been repaired. Children are left to study in makeshift tents, temporary shelters, or under the open sky, deprived of even the most basic learning environment.
The sluggish response to these disasters reveals the government’s disregard for the plight of Balochistan’s children. While funds are funneled into the military’s coffers, the future of an entire generation is sacrificed.
A Call for Change
Experts and activists argue that addressing the educational crisis in POB requires immediate and sustained action. Key measures include rebuilding basic infrastructure, developing a modern curriculum, and recruiting qualified teachers on merit. The provision of essential facilities such as drinking water and separate washrooms is also critical.
While international organizations like UNICEF and the European Union have stepped in to provide support through the Balochistan Basic Education Program, the onus ultimately lies on the Pakistan to take responsibility. However, with the Pakistan Army’s grip on resources and its colonial mindset of exploitation over development, meaningful change remains elusive.
