Balochistan Students Organization condemns deteriorating education system

In its recent meeting, the committee resolved to hold a round table conference to consider issues related to educational quality and institutional degradation.

The Balochistan Students Organisation (BSO), founded in Karachi on November 26, 1967, is the largest ethnic Baloch student organisation in Pakistan. It operates through two main factions: BSO-Pajjar and BSO-Mohiuddin, both of which are integrated into Pakistan's parliamentary structure.

Balach Qadir Baloch, chairman of BSO-Pajjar, criticised the commercialisation of education, which is plagued by administrative corruption, poor planning and favouritism, reports Dawn. He pointed to financial crises affecting several higher education institutions, including the Makran Medical College, where employees have staged protests over unpaid salaries.

Baloch also condemned the rising tuition fees at universities, highlighted the inactivity of Shaheed Sikander University in Khuzdar and criticised the delay in establishing Rakhshan and Nasirabad universities. He emphasised that these areas still lack adequate higher education facilities and said that Kohlu Girls College, established in 2007, has not yet been opened due to vacant teaching posts.

Dawn further reported that the central committee meeting also discussed broader political issues, organisational matters and future plans. It strongly condemned the government's decision to put student leaders, political activists, civil society members and teachers in the Fourth Schedule list. The committee termed the restrictions on freedom of expression and political activities as unprecedented and unacceptable.

The education system in Balochistan is seriously deteriorating. Persistent underfunding and a lack of resources are the main issues. Schools and colleges across the province often lack basic amenities such as clean drinking water, functional toilets, and electricity, which significantly impacts the quality of education.

Pakistan education statistics and Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) reports underline the poor state of school infrastructure and severe shortage of essential resources.

In addition, the region has a severe shortage of teachers and low morale among academic staff. Financial mismanagement has led to protests by university staff. This financial instability reflects broader issues within academic administration.

The World Bank has found that inadequate teacher training further exacerbates these problems, leading to a decline in the quality of education. Administrative corruption and favouritism also plague the sector, which has been criticised by the Balochistan Students Organisation (BSO-Pajjar). Mismanagement and financial bankruptcy of institutions reflect broader systemic issues affecting higher education.