Hundreds of students converged in Quetta today, spearheaded by the Pushtunkhwa Students Organization-Khushal, to highlight the severe shortcomings in the province”s education sector and advocate for improved access to learning for all children.
The demonstration commenced from Quetta Metropolitan Corporation as part of an ongoing school enrolment campaign, traversing key thoroughfares including Taxi Stand, Jinnah Road, and Manan Chowk, before culminating at the Quetta Press Club. A significant number of boys and girls actively participated in the procession.
Addressing the assembled participants, various speakers underscored the state”s fundamental responsibility to provide schooling for children currently not attending educational institutions. They expressed grave concern over the regrettably large proportion of young individuals within the province who remain deprived of fundamental education.
Concerns were further raised regarding the dire state of educational infrastructure, with speakers highlighting the extremely poor conditions prevalent in many schools and colleges. It was noted that college students are frequently compelled to pursue their intermediate qualifications through private academies, rather than their designated collegiate institutions.
Further criticisms included widespread teacher absenteeism and numerous school buildings across various provincial areas lying non-operational. Speakers lamented that the younger generation continues to be deprived of vital knowledge. The condition of universities was described as equally lamentable, with a reported 60% decrease in admissions attributed to escalating fees.
The Pushtunkhwa Students Organization-Khushal articulated its primary objective as ensuring the full functionality of all schools, colleges, and universities. They affirmed that their protest movement”s sole aim is the enhancement of the educational framework and the proper instruction of young learners. Speakers called for the formulation of a comprehensive educational policy for the province, advocating against piecemeal planning.
Demands also included the decentralisation of powers within the education system down to the district level, with the aim of facilitating timely problem resolution. Additionally, a key demand was the mandatory inclusion of the Pashto language in the curriculum of all private and government schools.
Among those who addressed the gathering were Waris Afghan, the Provincial Information Secretary for PSO-Khushal, and other key figures.