Literacy Rate Declined In Balochistan Despite Educational Emergency

Quetta – Literacy rate in Balochistan has declined by 3% despite the imposition of educational emergency by Balochistan Government, revealed a survey on Wednesday.

According to Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement Survey (PSLM) conducted by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), literacy rate in Balochistan has dropped by 3% in the year 2013-14. Current literacy rate in the province stands at an abysmal 43%, added the survey.

Survey further stated that Male literacy rate in Balochistan is 55% and Female literacy rate is just 25%.

 “Decline in literacy rate proves that there are serious flaws in the approach of Balochistan government to deal with literacy,” Mukhtar Ahmad, an educationist told The Balochistan Point. “Balochistan government is emphasizing on curbing cheating and establishing buildings which will never translate into increasing literacy,” added Mr. Ahmad.

Balochistan government has imposed educational emergency since January 2014 and it has allocated 26% of budget on education.

Abid Raza, a teacher urged the Balochistan government to revisit its approach to educational emergency while talking to The Balochistan Point. He advised that government bureaucracy concerning education needs to be vetted if any educational reforms are to be made successful.

Photo Credit: The Reality of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party Facebook page

Staff Report

Published in The Balochistan Point on May 15, 2015