Severe Shortage of Textbooks in Balochistan Schools Disrupts Enrollment Drive; Parents and Civic Groups Demand Investigation and Immediate Supply

Quetta (Qudrat Daily): The educational enrollment campaign launched by the Balochistan government has been severely affected due to a critical shortage of textbooks in government schools across the province, including the provincial capital Quetta.

Sources report that alleged corruption and mismanagement within the Balochistan Textbook Board have delayed the delivery of books, leaving students without essential learning materials despite the academic year having already begun. Schools, including the historic Government Sandeman High School in Quetta, have not received textbooks, causing a significant loss of valuable teaching time and growing concern among teachers and parents.

Parents revealed that in some schools, despite the lack of free textbooks, they are being asked to pay up to PKR 1,000 for books, contradicting government claims. School administrations have repeatedly promised deliveries “next week,” yet no progress has been observed. The failure to provide textbooks has put the educational future of underprivileged students at risk.

Affected parents and civic organizations have appealed to Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, Provincial Education Minister Raheela Hamid Durani, and the Corps Commander Balochistan to take immediate notice of this serious situation. They demanded an investigation into corruption within the Textbook Board and called for the prompt, free delivery of textbooks to schools to ensure that children’s academic year is not wasted.