Afghan children enrolled in 30 government schools of Quetta
File Photo of Afghan students studying in a school in Saranan refugee camp

Musavir Khan Barrech, Muhammad MudasirĀ 

Afghan refugees children have been enrolled in 30 government-run primary, middle and high schools in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province. The Balochistan education department and Mercy Corps, an international organization have financed and ensured the study of Afghan refugees children in Quetta.

“Afghan refugee children and our own children are getting quality education in these 30 schools”, Arbab Talib, the acting commissioner of Afghan refugees said. The Balochistan education department and Mercy Corps organized a joint seminar to discuss the education of Afghan and host communities’ children in the provincial capital.

Also Read: Ghost teachers in thousands in Balochistan: Sardar Rind

“Quality education for Afghan refugees children”

Director Education Balochistan, Wahid Shakir Baloch, Mercy Corps Team Leader, Dr. Saeedullah Khan, and other education experts addressed the seminar, which thoroughly discussed ways and means to promote education and ensure the provision of quality education to the Afghan refugee children.

“Government of Balochistan has extended all possible support to educate Afghan children”, Wahid Shakir Baloch, the Director of Education said. He said the quality of education in all 30 schools has improved and the teachers were rendering great services to educate students from marginalized communities.

Also Read: UNICEF supports safe reopening of 300 high schools in Balochistan

Afghan Commissionarate committed to supporting Afghan children

Speaking on the occasion, Arbab Talib stated that the Afghan Commissionarate was committed to educating all Afghan refugees children in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan. “Our objective is to make them useful citizens of the society”, he said.

Addressing the participants, Dr. Saeedullah Khan, team leader of Mercy Corps Balochistan, said that special attention was paid to the education of Afghan refugees and children of the host country. A special focus has been given to promoting girls’ education, he stated. The girls are enrolled in primary, middle, and high schools of Quetta, he added. In addition, a better policy referral system has been established to address safety and psychological issues in educational institutions for Afghan refugees and host country boys and girls.

Also Read: Relief goods provided by UNHCR distributed among Afghan refugees

In Balochistan, government-run schools paint an abysmal picture. Most of the schools are deprived of basic facilities. The present government has announced the implementation of Article 25-A of the Constitution. The article calls for free and compulsory education for all kids.

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About the Author

Quetta Voice is an English Daily covering all unfolding political, economic and social issues relating to Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province in terms of area. QV's main focus is on stories related to education, promotion of quality education and publishing reports about out of school children in the province. QV has also a vigilant eye on health, climate change and other key sectors.