QUETTA (Dunya News) – Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti has announced a comprehensive plan to provide desks in all functioning government schools, effectively putting an end to the practice of students sitting on mats during lessons.
The directive was issued to the Secretary of the School Education Department for immediate implementation.
During a high-level meeting chaired by Sarfraz Bugti, key reforms were approved across the education, health, and law-and-order sectors. The meeting also finalized a detailed reform agenda for the next fiscal year, focusing on improving these critical areas.
As part of efforts to boost literacy rates in the province, the government decided to introduce double-shift teaching in 900 schools. The meeting also approved significant increases in the fixed salaries of NCHD teachers, addressing long-standing compensation concerns.
The government will roll out standardized reading and writing materials in all schools and plans to construct additional classrooms in 3,000 single-room schools by next year. The Chief Secretary of Balochistan provided a briefing on the initiative.
Expressing concern over the current conditions, Chief Minister Bugti said, “The world has changed, yet children in Balochistan are still sitting on mats. No child should sit on the floor; every student will have a proper desk.”
He added that he would personally inspect schools in remote and mountainous areas, even using a helicopter for surprise visits. Officials found with students still sitting on mats after the set deadline will face action.
The chief minister emphasized the importance of promoting self-confidence and dignity among children and pledged that the government will take practical steps to ensure these values are instilled in students.