Balochistan govt plans upgradation of 1,000 schools, five-year plan to bring out-of-school children into education

QUETTA, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Mar, 2026) The Balochistan government has announced major reforms to tackle educational backwardness in the province, including the upgradation of nearly 1,000 schools and the launch of a five-year program to bring out-of-school children into the formal education system.

The decisions were discussed during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti in Quetta, as part of preparations for the upcoming provincial budget.

Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan briefed participants on the key features of the next fiscal year’s budget, with a particular focus on improving the education sector and expanding access to schooling for children currently outside the system.

According to the briefing, the government has proposed upgrading 679 Primary schools and 409 middle schools in the upcoming fiscal year. Officials said this initiative is expected to significantly reduce the educational imbalance that has persisted for the past 15 years.

The meeting also reviewed a proposal to provide monthly stipends to female students to promote girls’ education and improve attendance rates.

Officials from the Planning and Development Department presented details of 308 departmental development schemes estimated to cost Rs174 billion, highlighting the government’s broader development agenda.

Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister Bugti said reforms in the education sector remain the government’s top priority. He emphasized that it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that every child has access to school.

“Investment in education is an investment in the bright future of Balochistan,” Bugti said, noting that the government is taking practical steps to modernize educational facilities in line with contemporary requirements.

He stressed that improving schools in remote areas is a key priority and called on all relevant departments to work in a coordinated manner to achieve lasting improvements in the education sector.