Balochistan Moves Toward Transformational Education Drive with Massive School Upgradation Plan in Upcoming Budget

Independent Report
Quetta, March 16, 2026: The Government of Balochistan is preparing to launch comprehensive reforms in the education sector, with plans to upgrade hundreds of schools in the upcoming provincial budget as part of a major effort to overcome educational challenges and bring out-of-school children into the formal system.
The initiative came under discussion during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti regarding preparations for the next financial year’s budget. The session focused on improving educational standards throughout the province and developing an effective strategy to ensure that children currently outside the education network are enrolled in schools.
Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakeel Qadir Khan briefed the participants in detail on the key aspects of the proposed budget. According to the briefing, the provincial government is planning a comprehensive five-year program designed to enroll the maximum number of out-of-school children while expanding educational access in underserved and remote regions.
Under the proposed plan, the government intends to upgrade 679 primary schools and 409 middle schools during the next fiscal year. Officials informed the meeting that the improvement of nearly one thousand schools would help address the educational imbalance that has emerged across the province over the past fifteen years.
The meeting also reviewed a proposal aimed at promoting girls’ education through the introduction of a reasonable monthly stipend for female students. The initiative is expected to encourage higher attendance among girls and reduce gender disparities in access to education.
During the session, the Planning and Development Department presented a detailed overview of 308 departmental development schemes valued at Rs174 billion, which are expected to contribute significantly to the province’s socio-economic development.
Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti highlighted that education sector reforms remain a top priority for the provincial government. He emphasized that providing educational opportunities to every child is a fundamental obligation of the state.
The chief minister further stated that the forthcoming provincial budget will focus strongly on education, healthcare and the delivery of essential public services. “Investment in education is essentially an investment in the bright future of Balochistan,” he remarked, adding that the government is introducing practical measures to modernize educational facilities and create better opportunities for the younger generation.
Mir Sarfraz Bugti also underscored the importance of strengthening educational institutions in remote and underdeveloped areas of the province, directing all relevant departments and institutions to coordinate closely to achieve lasting improvements in the education sector throughout Balochistan.