ISLAMABAD: The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) has approved a $9 million grant to improve early childhood and primary education in Balochistan. The goal is to improve learning environments and help children – both boys and girls – strengthen their reading and math skills in GPE-supported schools.
GPE is a worldwide initiative working to solve education problems and is delivering this support through the World Bank and UNICEF.
The World Bank will use part of the grant to improve teaching standards in Early Childhood Education (ECE) and primary schools. This will be done through a continuous training programme for teachers in seven districts. It will also help roll out an updated ECE curriculum and provide new teaching and learning materials across the province.
The UNICEF-managed portion of the grant will expand the Balochistan Student Learning Improvement Programme (BSLP) – an earlier GPE-funded effort – to 20 districts.
— ALSO READ —
Rivers rising as NDMA issues monsoon alert across Pakistan
According to a World Bank report, the seven districts selected for focused efforts include five areas with large refugee populations: Quetta, Qila Abdullah, Pishin, Chaghi, and Chaman. These were also part of the earlier Balochistan Human Capital Investment Project. The other two districts are Qila Saifullah and Noshki, both located near the Afghan border.
The World Bank and UNICEF will work together to ensure smooth implementation. They will jointly distribute learning materials, train teachers, and develop clear performance goals for school staff.
Although primary school enrollment has improved in recent years, Balochistan still lags behind. The current enrollment rate is 54 percent — much lower than the national average of 78 percent.
A major problem is the lack of investment in early childhood education. Out of 1.36 million children aged three to five in Balochistan, only 14 percent attend public ECE classrooms, and just 5 percent are in private ones.
The province’s current school budget system is also seen as ineffective. Since 2014, half the funds are fixed, and the other half depends on how many students are enrolled. Budgets are limited to four areas — uniforms, books, furniture, and building repairs — with no room for flexibility.
— ALSO READ —
Pakistan gets $200 million tuna quota, begins fisheries reforms
Balochistan has about 3.13 million children aged five to 16 out of school — about 65 percent. Of these, 45 percent are at the primary school level. The problem is linked to poor access to schools, lack of early learning options, and weak school readiness programmes.
Public schools in the province are spread out. On average, a school is at least one kilometre away from any accessible road, making it hard for many children to attend.
The report also highlights a severe shortage of trained teachers. Most schools don’t have a dedicated ECE teacher. However, the government recently hired 11,000 new teachers in 2025, the first major hiring since 2019. This move is expected to support the system.
Still, only 9 percent of schools in the province have a dedicated ECE teacher. Many classrooms follow a multigrade system, where children aged three to eight learn together — a common challenge at both pre-primary and primary levels.
Govt halts action against Afghan refugees with valid registration
