The Balochistan government has taken a landmark decision to abolish the uniform requirement in public primary schools and declare them “gender-free” institutions, allowing boys and girls to study together. The move aims to ease financial burdens on poor families, address the shortage of female teachers in remote areas, and expand access to education.
The decision was made during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, where reforms in education, health, and law and order were reviewed in light of the upcoming provincial budget. The Chief Minister also directed the immediate elimination of the outdated “tat culture” in schools, ordering the School Education Department to ensure the provision of desks in all classrooms.
Officials explained that the gender-free policy will be presented to the provincial cabinet for approval, with expectations that it will significantly improve enrollment rates, particularly in underdeveloped and remote regions. The meeting also approved the introduction of a double-shift teaching system in 900 schools, enabling thousands of additional students to benefit from existing infrastructure.
Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan briefed participants that construction of additional classrooms in 3,000 single-room schools will be completed by next year to meet growing demand.
The meeting further resolved to introduce standardized reading and writing material across all government schools to ensure quality education. It was also agreed to increase the long-stagnant fixed salaries of NCHD teachers.
Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti lamented that many children in Balochistan are still forced to study on mats. “This situation is unacceptable. Every child deserves a dignified learning environment,” he said, warning that strict action will be taken against officials if students are found sitting on the floor after the deadline.
He pledged surprise visits, even to remote mountain schools by helicopter, to ensure compliance.
Sarfraz Bugti emphasized that instilling self-confidence, dignity, and respect in children is a fundamental part of quality education. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to mobilize all available resources to provide a brighter future for the province’s youth through reforms in education, health, and security.
The meeting was attended by Provincial Ministers Mir Shoaib Nosherwani, Mir Zia Langove, Mir Zahoor Buledi, Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan, senior officials from education, health, and finance departments, and advisers to the Chief Minister.