QUETTA: The Central Committee of Balochistan Students Organisation (BSO-Pajjar), in its meeting, expressed serious concern over the deteriorating education system in the province and decided to hold a roundtable conference on the state of education and institutional decline.

While speaking at a press conference alongside other leaders, the organisation’s chai­rman, Balaach Qadir Baloch, criticised the current state of the education system, saying it has become a business and administrative corruption, poor planning and a culture of favouritism have ruined it.

He pointed out that institutions established in the name of higher education have gone bankrupt, with university staff protesting over unpaid salaries.

He noted that staff at Makran Medical College had been protesting for days due to similar issues, and government negligence had disrupted classes.

He also criticised the unnecessary fee hikes across all universities. He pointed out that Shaheed Sikandar University in Khuzdar remains inactive, and the establishment of Rakhshan and Naseerabad universities has been deliberately delayed.

He lamented that these vast regions remain deprived of higher education institutions.

Mr Baloch also highlighted that Kohlu Girls College, established in 2007, has yet to start classes due to the absence of faculty appointments.

He said the central committee discussed the current political situation, educational issues, organisational matters and their future course of action.

Earlier, during its meeting, the central committee noted how the implementation of the Constitution and law in Balochistan had been completely ignored, which has led to various problems in the province.

The committee condemned the government’s decision to place student leaders, political workers, civil society members and teachers on the Fourth Schedule list.

The meeting also expressed serious concern over restrictions on freedom of expression and political activities, calling it a reprehensible act without precedent.

Mr Baloch denounced the government’s requirement of a no-objection certificate (NOC) for holding press conferences and seminars at the Quetta Press Club, describing it as an attempt to stifle dissenting voices.

The BSO chairman accused the government of exercising total control over the media and preventing individuals from expressing themselves freely.

He further highlighted the harassment of peaceful political activists, who face false accusations, trolling, fake FIRs and threats.

He condemned the recent inclusion of teachers on suspicious lists for surveillance, calling it a violation of the Constitution.

Published in Dawn, September 9th, 2024