Significant Drop in Out-of-School Children in Balochistan, Says CM Sarfraz Bugti

Quetta: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti has said that the number of out-of-school children in the province has significantly decreased, crediting the improvement to ongoing educational reforms and a strong commitment to merit and service delivery.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony of Balochistan’s first **School Transport Program** at Government Girls College Jinnah Town Quetta, the Chief Minister said that ensuring merit and transparency in governance will restore public trust, especially among the youth, and help build an efficient and accountable system.

He stated that the provincial government had promised that no road in the province would be blocked under the pretext of protests — a commitment now fulfilled. “We are determined to promote a merit-based system to ensure that every deserving individual gets their due right,” Bugti said.

During the event, the Chief Minister handed over bus keys to school heads in the presence of respective members of the provincial assembly. He said that the provision of transport to schools was once a dream that has now turned into reality.

Highlighting the importance of education, particularly for women, he said Islam was the first to emphasize learning through the command *“Iqra” (Read)*, yet society has often neglected girls’ education. He noted that promoting education, especially female education, has always been among his top priorities.

Bugti recalled that his late father, Mir Ghulam Qadir Bugti, had established the first school in Pector, where he and his sister were the first two students.

The Chief Minister said the government had initiated reforms in the education department by hiring teachers on a merit-based contract system — a decision that initially faced criticism but later proved successful.

He revealed that about **14,000 teachers** were hired on merit, which helped **reactivate 3,200 previously closed schools** and **enroll 94,000 new students.** College attendance increased by **60 percent**, while **32,000 new students** were enrolled in **600 community schools**, which are now being expanded to provide better learning environments.

“These reforms have resulted in a remarkable decline in the number of out-of-school children across the province,” Bugti said.

He announced an **annual budget of Rs 79 million** for the School Transport Program, assuring that it would continue on a sustainable basis with full government support.

Bugti added that service delivery must be strengthened to restore youth confidence in the government, emphasizing that all officers must make decisions purely on merit without any political pressure.

He further pledged that **all remaining closed schools in Balochistan would reopen after the winter holidays.**

The Chief Minister also said that after success in the health sector, the provincial government is introducing a **Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model** in education, citing the example of a successful PPP school in Baleeda. “This model will be expanded across the province to ensure every citizen’s access to quality education and healthcare,” he added.

Bugti announced the **provision of two buses** for Government Girls School Jinnah Town Quetta and directed that all school buses be **painted yellow** to serve as a recognizable symbol of educational institutions, as practiced in many countries.

Earlier, the Chief Minister was warmly received by Provincial Education Minister Raheela Hameed Khan Durrani, Secretary Education Asfandyar Khan Kakar, and other officials. Students presented flowers, while the school band saluted the Chief Minister. Impressed by their performance, Bugti announced a **cash prize of Rs 200,000** for the band team.