A Briefing Conference was organised under the theme of Baloch Literacy Campaign
Baloch Students Action Committee
A Briefing conference was held under the theme of Baloch Literary Campaign in Shaal (Quetta). The conference revealed that more than 72% of schools are completely closed in Balochistan, with the most affected regions being Dera Bugti, Naseerabad, Khuzdar, Awaran and Lasbela.
The Baloch Literacy Campaign presented the two-year report, collected by the BLC at the conference which was attended by diverse stakeholders including the vice president of HRCP’s Balochistan chapter, Advocate Imran Baloch from Bar Council accompanied by his fellow lawyers and the central representatives of the organisation including Vice Chairman Rafiq Baloch, Secretary General Azhar Baloch and central committee members including Aamir Baloch, Waqar Baloch, PeerJan Baloch and Fahad Baloch.
The conference included various segments such as A brief introduction of Baloch Literacy Campaign (BLC), A case study of two years’ data of Schools, A documentary, Distribution of brochures, speeches including concluding remarks and photo exhibition. Where the hosting duties were performed by the organisation’s member, Dr Benazir Baloch.
Moreover, Benazir Baloch introduced the event, its purpose and goal and also expressed her gratitude to the guests who attended the conference on our invitation. She, while continuing the event, then called Fahad Baloch, the organisation’s central committee member, to present his presentation on the Baloch Literacy Campaign (BLC) from its commencement until now followed by a documentary, prepared for the conference based on the reports published by BLC team. Furthermore, the Secretary General of the organisation Azhar Baloch then presented a case study based on the two years’ data followed by the speech of Advocate Kashif, the vice president of HRCP Balochistan Chapter and a speech on concluding remarks was made by the organisation’s vice chairman Rafeeq Baloch.
In the conference it was discussed that the so called claims made by the government (in every respect) for the “Educational Emergency” were exposed false ny the campaign’s findings that more than 72 percent schools are completely closed with the most affected areas of Dera Bugti, Naseerabad, Khuzdar, Awaran and Lasbela, and the rest of the percentage less than 28% is partially functional.
The conference revealed some shocking facts about the lowest literacy rate in Balochistan that 90 percent schools lack basic facilities. The absence of school buildings, the serious shortage of teachers and a shortage of books for students. The schools lack adequate resources like a good buildings, floor mats, water, toilets and transportation facilities.
While addressing at the audience in the conference, Advocate Kashif praised the event of briefing conference, saying that he was much motivated by these committed Baloch youths struggling through the platform of Baloch Students Action Committee. He further stressed that such campaigns on literacy are needed in Balochistan in order to ensure that the concerned authorities to take serious steps to address these issues as soon as possible. While expressing his deep concerns, he offered his support in any legal proceeding vis-à-vis the lowest literacy rate in Balochistan.
Furthermore, Rafeeq Baloch the vice chairman of the organisation, expressed his views in the concluding remarks, praising the team for their effective findings and report on the literacy in Balochistan. While continuing his speech, he said we have been often labelled as illiterate by the people who, with their ulterior motives, are not willing to provide enough facilities to us in accessing the education. The report on the schools showed here is alarming. However, we are now witnessing the universities including Bolan Medical College have been turned into a high security zone or into a prison where notwithstanding, mercenaries are being groomed instead of researchers and know-hows.
The conference in concluding put emphasis on some demands mentioned below;
1- To make sure the functioning of the closed schools
2- To renovate the schools partially functional
3- To ensure high literacy rate in Balochistan, primarily focusing on basic education in the most affected areas
4- To provide all the adequate facilities to the students in Balochistan as soon as possible.
Baloch Students Action Committee
