Baloch Students Action Committee (BSAC), a leading student organization in Khuzdar [Pakistan], Balochistan, has expressed concern over the dismal state of education infrastructure in the region, calling it a gross violation of the fundamental human right to education.
According to a statement issued by BSAC, government and non-government literacy reports paint a worrying picture, with Balochistan's literacy rate ranging between just 26 to 30 percent, and female literacy almost non-existent.
Citing its own survey, BSAC revealed that more than 80 percent of schools in the province are either closed or defunct, reflecting a grim reality of educational access for the youth of Balochistan.The Committee's concerns extended to higher education, where it lamented their inadequate provision in proportion to the population, area and resources of the region, likening the available facilities to "salt in flour".
Recognizing education as an inalienable human right universally recognized, BSAC underlined the obligation of every State to provide equal educational opportunities to its citizens without discrimination. However, it regretted the enormous inequalities faced by Balochistan, and blamed it on deliberate neglect and discriminatory policies by Pakistan.
Highlighting Pakistan's constitutional obligations under Article 25A, Articles 37B and C, and Article 38D to ensure education and basic human needs for all citizens regardless of ethnicity or geographical location, BSAC called for the education of the population of Balochistan. Condemned for continued marginalization.
It drew attention to the glaring difference between the abundance of universities in other regions compared to only nine functional universities in Balochistan, further underscoring the educational neglect of the region.BSAC's complaints were not limited to the lack of primary and secondary educational facilities, but also extended to higher education. It regretted the situation of Iskandar University in Khuzdar, which remains non-functional due to bureaucratic hurdles and political interference despite the completion of its infrastructure in 2021.
The organization condemned the apathy of the government and the vested interests hindering the functioning of the university and described such actions as inimical to educational progress.
In conclusion, BSAC urged immediate action to rectify systemic inequities and injustices in the education sector of Balochistan, stressing the urgency of providing equal access to quality education for all Baloch citizens.
According to a statement issued by BSAC, government and non-government literacy reports paint a worrying picture, with Balochistan's literacy rate ranging between just 26 to 30 percent, and female literacy almost non-existent.
Citing its own survey, BSAC revealed that more than 80 percent of schools in the province are either closed or defunct, reflecting a grim reality of educational access for the youth of Balochistan.The Committee's concerns extended to higher education, where it lamented their inadequate provision in proportion to the population, area and resources of the region, likening the available facilities to "salt in flour".
Recognizing education as an inalienable human right universally recognized, BSAC underlined the obligation of every State to provide equal educational opportunities to its citizens without discrimination. However, it regretted the enormous inequalities faced by Balochistan, and blamed it on deliberate neglect and discriminatory policies by Pakistan.
Highlighting Pakistan's constitutional obligations under Article 25A, Articles 37B and C, and Article 38D to ensure education and basic human needs for all citizens regardless of ethnicity or geographical location, BSAC called for the education of the population of Balochistan. Condemned for continued marginalization.
It drew attention to the glaring difference between the abundance of universities in other regions compared to only nine functional universities in Balochistan, further underscoring the educational neglect of the region.BSAC's complaints were not limited to the lack of primary and secondary educational facilities, but also extended to higher education. It regretted the situation of Iskandar University in Khuzdar, which remains non-functional due to bureaucratic hurdles and political interference despite the completion of its infrastructure in 2021.
The organization condemned the apathy of the government and the vested interests hindering the functioning of the university and described such actions as inimical to educational progress.
In conclusion, BSAC urged immediate action to rectify systemic inequities and injustices in the education sector of Balochistan, stressing the urgency of providing equal access to quality education for all Baloch citizens.
