Adnan Aamir
Quetta: Educational Problems of Balochistan were discussed in a convention which was supposed to track education budget of Quetta District.
A seminar titled “Education Budget Tracking Convention” was conducted by Alif Ailan in Quetta Press Club, on Tuesday.
Majority of the participants discussed the general educational issues rather than discussing the education budget of Quetta.
Nazir Lehri, provincial coordinator of Alif Ailan, repeatedly asked speakers to discuss education budget of Quetta District
Addressing the seminar, Nasrullah Zeeray Member of Provincial Assembly from Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, boasted about the steps taken by government to promote education in the province.
He said that Balochistan government has for the first time formulated Balochistan education Sector Plan which is a revolutionary step.
He revealed that Balochistan governments will recruit 3,200 teachers in the year 2016 through NTS tests.
Munir Nodezai, Additional Director Schools, apprised the participants of the convention about the steps taken by government for promotion of education.
“Previously administration and financial powers in education department were centralized and this government delegated them to districts,” said Mr. Nodezai.
Mr. Nodezai explained that total budget outlay for education in fiscal year 2015-16 is Rs. 35.31 billion. He further added that Rs. 25.12 Billion are allocated for salaries and contingencies and Rs. 10.20 Billion are allocated for Education in Public Sector Development Program (PSDP).
Ghulam Nabi Marri, general Secretary of Quetta Chapter of Balochistan National Party (BNP) asserted that problems of education sector in Balochistan are political in nature.
Sardar Rasheed Khan Nasser, member central committee of Awami National Party (ANP) urged officers in Education department to not obey the illegal demands of the politicians.
Explaining the policy of ANP on education, Mr. Nasser added, “Our party is totally against class system in education.”
Nawaz Jattak, President of Government Teachers Association (GTA) also addressed the convention.
Mr. Jattak lamented that education is the most important department in provincial government and for last 2 and half years it did not have a minister.
He also criticized the National Party and alleged that education Secretary of National Party is a government teacher and a member of GTA.
“Increase in budget of education is commendable but budgetary increase alone is not sufficient to address the problems,” said Raza Wakeel, Senior Vice President of Hazara Democratic Party.
Convention was concluded on the note that more efforts are required for all stakeholders to promote education without discussing the district education budget.
Published in The Balochistan Point on January 5, 2015