Pak Army shuts down 542 more schools in Pak-occupied Balochistan

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schools shut in balochistan
Internally displaced flood-affected children attend a class at a makeshift school at Dera Allah Yar in Jaffarabad district of Balochistan on September 21, 2022 (Photo: AFP)

In a stark reflection of the ongoing crisis in Pak-occupied-Balochistan, the Department of Education has reported the closure of an additional 542 schools under the current administration, with more closures expected. This troubling development highlights the severe impact of the Pak Army’s exploitation and brutal repression on the region’s education system.

According to the latest report from the Balochistan Department of Education, the number of closed schools has surged to 3,694 across 35 districts as of September 2, up from 3,152 in May.

The Department of Education’s report reveals that reopening the closed schools would require the hiring of 16,000 teachers. The situation is dire, with schools in Pishin being the hardest hit, accounting for 254 of the closures, while Dera Bugti has the fewest, with 13 non-functional schools.

The lack of schools and teachers has led to a staggering number of children being out of school, with over 1.2 million children estimated to be out of education by 2021—more than 70% of the school-age population.

Not a week ago, the Baloch Doctors’ Forum raised concerns about the neglect of the health sector, citing months-long salary delays and vacant teaching positions in medical colleges. This reflects the systematic repression of the Baloch community. The Paki establishment is marginalizing the community and causing suffering due to a lack of basic necessities. Education and health are fundamental human rights, but they are being stripped away, leaving the community to live without basic decency.

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