“Roshan Balochistan” Campaign Aims to Enroll 261,000 Children, Recruit 13,000 Teachers, and Revive 4,000 Schools

Quetta: Special Secretary for Education Abdul Salam Achakzai announced the launch of the “Roshan Balochistan” campaign, aiming to enroll over 261,000 children in schools for the upcoming academic year. The initiative also includes the recruitment of 13,000 teachers and the revival of 4,000 inactive schools across the province.

Speaking at a press conference alongside Director Schools Akhtar Khitran, District Education Officer Nasir Ali Shah, Naqeebullah Khelji, Muneer Nutezai, Fatima Manwar, and other officials, Abdul Salam Achakzai said that last year the department exceeded its enrollment target of 210,000 students, enrolling 230,000 children, and this year the aim is to surpass the newly set target. Of the targeted students, 110,711 are girls and 150,300 are boys, with specific targets set for all districts.

The campaign, running until April 16, includes seminars, walks, rallies, meetings, and cluster-level sessions at tehsil and district levels. International partners such as the European Union, UNICEF, and Global Partnership for Education are collaborating, while media awareness campaigns have been launched to reach out-of-school children. The initiative follows the slogan: “Every Child to School, Make Balochistan Bright.”

Abdul Salam Achakzai added that 4,000 inactive schools have already been revitalized, with another 300 schools in the process of reopening. The recruited teachers have been selected strictly on merit, and their attendance and performance will be monitored daily. Non-compliance will result in salary deductions and departmental action. Performance-based extensions will be given after 18 months.

Furthermore, students will be provided with uniforms, books, and sports equipment, and an additional 3,000 classrooms are being constructed to improve infrastructure and address teacher shortages. Religious leaders, tribal elders, and representatives from all communities will be engaged to ensure maximum outreach and success of the enrollment drive.

This campaign represents a major step by the Balochistan government to improve access to quality education and strengthen the province’s educational system.