Balochistan Arabic Classes Backed for Primary Schools
The Balochistan Arabic plan has won unanimous backing in the provincial assembly, which recommends basic Arabic as a compulsory subject in all government primary schools.
The resolution was passed on Friday. It calls on the provincial government to introduce the subject through a phased programme, starting with young pupils in the province’s state-run primary schools.
The resolution was moved by JUI-F MPA Shahida Rauf. She said teaching basic Arabic would help students understand commonly used Quranic words and their meanings, so they could develop a better understanding of the Holy Quran from an early age.
Balochistan Arabic plan: a grade-wise curriculum
The resolution called for a simple, standardised and grade-wise curriculum covering basic Arabic vocabulary, grammar and commonly used Quranic expressions. It also stressed the need for trained teachers, quality textbooks, appropriate teaching materials and effective monitoring.
The plan would roll out in phases, taking into account students’ ages, mental abilities and educational needs, with regular reviews of how it is working.
During the discussion, MPA Dr Abdul Malik Baloch recalled that legislation had been passed in 2013 to promote education in mother languages. He urged the government to implement that law alongside the proposed Arabic language programme.
Following the discussion, the Assembly unanimously approved the resolution, recommending the introduction of compulsory basic Arabic education in government primary schools throughout Balochistan.
A recommendation, not yet a law
The Assembly’s vote does not by itself make Arabic a compulsory subject. A resolution recommends action, and the provincial government must now decide how and when to introduce the subject in schools.
That distinction matters for parents and teachers. Until the government issues a formal plan, with a curriculum, textbooks and trained teachers, nothing changes in the classroom. The resolution sets the direction, but the hard work of putting it into practice still lies ahead.
The phased approach lets the government start small, with younger classes learning basic vocabulary and common Quranic words first.
Teacher supply will be the first test. Primary schools in Balochistan already face shortages of staff, and teaching a new subject needs teachers who know Arabic and can teach it to young children. The resolution’s call for trained teachers and quality textbooks points to that gap.
Why the Assembly acted now
The move reflects a long-running debate in Balochistan about language in schools. The 2013 law on mother languages was meant to promote education in the languages children speak at home, but it has not been fully put into practice.
Dr Abdul Malik Baloch’s reminder during the debate linked the two issues. He argued that the government should carry out the mother-languages law at the same time as it brings in Arabic, so that children learn in their own language while also gaining the new subject.
Balochistan’s primary schools serve some of the most disadvantaged children in Pakistan, and adding a subject will only help if it comes with the teachers, books and support the resolution demands.
What happens next
The ball is now with the provincial government. It must turn the resolution into a plan, with a curriculum for each grade, textbooks, teacher training and a timetable for the phased rollout.
Schools, parents and teachers will watch for that plan. A clear start date, a simple curriculum and trained teachers would show the resolution is more than words. Without them, the vote risks joining a long list of Assembly resolutions that were never carried out.
Punjab has just announced the full timetable for its 2027 matric exams, and private events have been banned at Punjab’s government schools. At the national level, the Higher Education Commission has moved to a single entry test for undergraduate admissions, while the government has approved a new salary formula for university teachers and the Lahore High Court is hearing a petition on university name changes.
Frequently asked questions
What did the Balochistan Assembly decide on Arabic?
The Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution recommending basic Arabic as a compulsory subject in all government primary schools.
Who moved the resolution?
JUI-F MPA Shahida Rauf moved the resolution. She said basic Arabic would help students understand commonly used Quranic words and their meanings.
What will the Arabic curriculum cover?
The resolution calls for a simple, standardised and grade-wise curriculum covering basic Arabic vocabulary, grammar and commonly used Quranic expressions.
Is Arabic now compulsory in Balochistan’s primary schools?
Not yet. The Assembly’s resolution recommends the change, and the provincial government must now introduce it through a phased programme with teachers, textbooks and monitoring.
What did the Assembly say about mother languages?
MPA Dr Abdul Malik Baloch recalled the 2013 law on education in mother languages and urged the government to implement it alongside the Arabic programme.
