Gwadar has reopened 41 previously closed schools, enrolling 1,157 students under Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti’s initiative to restore non-functional schools in Balochistan. Before the drive began, 63 schools in Gwadar were identified as non-functional.

Of these, 41 have now become operational, and the chief minister has pledged to reopen the remaining 22 within the next 12 months. Of the reopened schools, 19 were staffed through the SBK Teachers (Phase I) recruitment scheme, two hired teachers on contract, and three received teachers under Phase III, Gwadar Pro reported.

The Pakistan Army helped reopen three schools, while 17 were made functional through initiatives led by the district’s deputy commissioner. According to Balochistan Education Statistics 2023–24, Gwadar district has 312 schools, including primary, middle, high and higher secondary institutions. Total enrolment across all levels stands at 35,260 students.

Province-wide data shows that of 3,862 previously non-functional schools across Balochistan’s 36 districts, 3,144 have been reopened in the past 18 months, bringing 81,834 new students into classrooms. During this period, 16,000 teachers were appointed on a merit-based system, according to Chief Minister Bugti.

Officials say the school restoration initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen the province’s education infrastructure and ensure access to quality education in underserved areas. Education experts note that revitalising Gwadar’s schools will help build a stronger foundation for higher learning and technical education.

Institutions such as the University of Gwadar and the Pak–China Technical and Vocational Institute offer specialised training to Balochistan’s youth, supporting the region’s participation in new economic opportunities linked to the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China