Shaal: A report released by the Social Welfare Department of BNM states that 76 schools in Tehsil Mashkai and Awaran in the Awaran District of Balochistan have been closed or occupied by the Pakistan Army and turned into military posts.
The Education Deficit in Tehsil Mashkai and Tehsil Awaran of Awaran District Urdu
The education of children in Mashkai Tehsil is being affected due to the closure of thirteen schools, and sixty-three schools in Awaran Tehsil are also facing a similar situation of non-provision of facilities, “It is deeply concerning to see the extent of educational deprivation faced by Baloch children in Mashkai and Awaran districts. The closure of schools and military occupation of education facilities is a violation of the basic right to education and must be denounced by international organizations.” Says the report.
The report expresses deep concern about violating the basic right to education and urges international organizations to pay attention to the poor education in Balochistan, “Education is a fundamental human right, and its deprivation can have long-term consequences on the socio-economic development of a region. The international community must take immediate steps to address this crisis and ensure that Baloch children have access to quality education.”
“The international community should urge Pakistan to respect the right to education of Baloch children and refrain from occupying schools. Balochistan is a distinct territory with a unique cultural and linguistic identity, and the Pakistani state must not impose its history, language, and culture on the Baloch people.”
According to the report, Pakistan’s colonial policies towards Balochistan are responsible for the poor state of education in Baluchistan, “Within Balochistan, there exists a relationship of occupier and subjugation between the Pakistani state and the Baloch people. The state violates human rights through military aggression while striving to deprive the populace of education. Many schools in the region either lack proper facilities or remain locked, greatly affecting educational opportunities for children.”
Interested parties can access the report on BNM’s websites in Urdu and English as downloadable PDF files, which provide details of the 76 closed schools in Tehsil Mashkai and Tehsil Awaran of Awaran district.
The Social Welfare Department of BNM authored the report after submitting a previous report on the closure of schools in Jahl Jhaoo Tehsil of Awaran District and Pakistani forces’ establishment of military camps.
According to the Department of Social Welfare BNM, these actions reflect Pakistan’s colonial system and approach to education in Balochistan, proving the suppression of consciousness.
The Education Deficit in Tehsil Mashkai and Tehsil Awaran of Awaran District
Report of Social Welfare Department of Baloch National Movement April 2023
Release Date:
Friday, 28 April 2023
The Social Welfare Department of the Baloch National Movement had previously submitted a report on the state of schools in Jahl Jhaoo Tehsil of Awaran District, highlighting the closure of schools and the establishment of military camps by Pakistani forces. These actions reflect Pakistan’s colonial system and approach to education in Balochistan, providing clear evidence of suppression of consciousness.
It is deeply concerning to see the extent of educational deprivation faced by Baloch children in Mashkai and Awaran districts. The closure of schools and military occupation of education facilities is a violation of the basic right to education, and must be denounced by international organizations.
Education is a fundamental human right, and its deprivation can have long-term consequences on the socio-economic development of a region. The international community must take immediate steps to address this crisis and ensure that Baloch children have access to quality education.
Additionally, the international community should urge Pakistan to respect the right to education of Baloch children and refrain from occupying schools. Balochistan is a distinct territory with a unique cultural and linguistic identity, and the Pakistani state must not impose its own history, language, and culture on the Baloch people.
It is time for the international community to take notice of the education deficit in Balochistan and take concrete steps to address it.
The report being reviewed covers the educational status of Tehsil Mashkai and Tehsil Awaran within Awaran District. Additionally, it describes the current state of schools converted into military posts and the condition of the remaining schools.
Tehsil Mashkai:
Awaran District is comprised of three Tehsils – Awaran, Mashkai, and Jhaoo. Although the social welfare department of BNM has recently released a report on the educational situation in Tehsil Jhaoo, the current review centers around the state of education in Tehsil Mashkai and Tehsil Awaran.
Within Balochistan, there exists a relationship of occupier and subjugation between the Pakistani state and the Baloch people. The state violates human rights through military aggression while also striving to deprive the populace of education. Many schools in the region either lack proper facilities or remain locked, greatly affecting educational opportunities for children. Of utmost concern, is that, like other areas of Balochistan, the Pakistani army has occupied numerous schools in Mashkai, with military camps established therein.
List of closed schools in Tehsil Mashkai:
1.Boys Primary School Sunneri – Closed since 2016
2.Girls Primary School Sunneri
3.Girls Primary School Sarijo, Parpuki
4.Boys Girls Primary School Sarijo, Parpuki
5.Boys Primary School Garri, Parpuki
6.Boys Primary School Kandari, Chazhnu – Closed since 2009
7.Boys Primary School Gajjjali – Occupied by Pakistan Army
8.Girls Primary School Gajjali
9.Boys Primary School Mehi – Closed since 2015
10.Boys Primary School Damb, Jebri- Closed since 2015
11.Girls Primary School Mehi
12.Girls Primary School Laaki
13.Boys Primary School Laaki
Thirteen schools in the area have remained closed since 2009, 2015, and 2016. Additionally, the Pakistan Army has occupied the Boys Primary School Gajjali.
Regarding the status of schools in Tehsil Awaran:
Many schools within the Tehsil have either closed down or suffer from a shortage of teachers. Furthermore, numerous educational institutions lack the basic facilities required to provide quality education to students in the area.
List of closed schools in Tehsil Awaran:
1.High School Gishkaur
2.The Middle School Sundum
3.Girls’ Middle School Sundum
4.Middle School Hor
5.Primary School Mohammad Bakhsh Bazar, Zeek
6.Primary School Esa Bazar, Zeek
7.Primary School Chambur
8.Primary School Shandi
9.Primary School Karki
10.Primary School Kanichi
11.Primary School Murad Mohammad Bazar
12.Primary School Lal Jan Bazar Hor
13.Primary School Gradi Hoor
14.Primary School Musafir Bazar, Sehar
15.Girls Primary School Sajidi Bazar, Sehar
16.Primary School Gazzi
17.Primary School Madag Kalat
18.Primary school Band Malil
19.Primary School Dal Bazar
20.Girls High School Awaran
21.Middle School Gazzi Pirandar
22.Primary School Allah Bakhsh Baint
23.Primary school Gurrai
24.Primary School Kuch
25.Primary School Ghulam Mohammad Bazar
26.Primary School Ziarat Dan
27.Primary School Zeelag
28.High School Hassan Goth
29.Middle School Awaran Mashi
30.High School Kahn Zeelag
31.Primary School Qasmi Jo
32.Primary School Chedagi
33.Primary school Kallaro
34.High School Khan Mohammad Bazar, Labaach
35.Middle School Labaach
36.Girls Primary School Labaach
37.Boys High School Teertej
38.Girls Middle School Teertej
39.Middle School Dansar Labaach
40.High School Sari Maalar
41.Girls Primary School Sari Maalar
42.Primary School Kark-e-Dal Jan Mohammad Bazar
43.Girls’ Primary School,Kark-e-Dal
44.High School Cheri Maalar
45.Girls Primary School Cheri Maalar
46.Primary Bengal Bazar
47.Primary School Jan Mohammad Bazar
48.Primary School Laddi Sheep
49.Primary School Sham Maalar
50.Primary School Maalar
51.Primary School Shay dost Mohammad Bazar
52.Primary School Machi Maalar
53.Primary School Kahn Maalar
54.Middle School Bazdad
55.Primary School Zaelag Adam Bazar Bazdad
56.Primary School Karki Bazdad
57.Primary School Kili Dilbod Bazar
58.Primary School Ganda Kaur
59.Primary School Karki Kad
60.Middle School Gushanag
61.Primary School Rek Chai
62.High School Marah Sham
63.Primary School Dil Murad Bazar Kalirzahi
In Tehsil Awaran, four out of a total of sixty-three schools are closed, but the remaining schools need more facilities to provide quality education to students. Furthermore, there are reports of some teachers in Awaran neglecting their duties to pursue personal business interests. This absenteeism significantly affects the learning and teaching process in the area.
The Department of Social Welfare of the Baloch National Movement is drawing attention to the dire state of schools in Balochistan districts highlighted in this report. The department is urging international organizations, including UNICEF, to play an active role in improving education in Balochistan and to assist the Baloch people adversely impacted by the Pakistani neo-colonial system.