Education

The population of Balochistan is approximately 7.8 million people i.e. 5% of total population of Pakistan but spread over 43% of land area of the country. Mostly the population of the province lives in small and dispersed rural settlements with only 24 % urban population. Balochistan is the poorest of Pakistan’s four provinces, with standards of living and social indicators lagging substantially behind the rest of the country. Education achievement in Balochistan reflects the province’s overall low development indicators. Literacy levels at 37 percent compared to the national average of 53 percent.

According to Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey 2004, about two thirds of population 68% aged 10 years and over have never been to school. 77% of the population 10 years and over have not completed primary school or higher. Gross enrolment is much higher in urban compared to rural population (74% vs. 40%) and boys enrolment compared with girls is (56% vs. 35%). These abysmal statistics underlines the importance education interventions in the province. Education is a prerequisite for combating poverty, empowering women, protecting children from hazardous and exploitative labor, promoting human rights, protecting the environment and influencing population growth.

Programmatic Mission:

Provision of capacitated, reformed and Quality child friendly environment in the schools so as to ensure improved educational systems;

Programmatic Portfolio

• Quality education
• Formal education
• Non formal education
• Literacy
• Indigenous Life skills Based Education
• Early childhood education and development

Current interventions

BRSP, with UNICEF support, is currently implementing “School WES project in the proposed 50 targeted girl’s primary/middle schools and 30 Boys Schools in district Zhob for the provision of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, and promotion of improved hygiene practices among school children for building a child friendly environment in the schools. The ultimate goal of the project is to support education department by contributing to increased school enrollment and reduction in the high drop out rate in the district.