GILGIT: Nearly 55,000 children are out of school in Diamer district. Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain disclosed this on Sunday. He was speaking during a visit to Chilas. Moreover, he called it one of the most pressing challenges facing the region.
Addressing a public gathering, the chief minister described Diamer as the region’s most underdeveloped district. He called the Diamer out of school children crisis one of the region’s most pressing challenges. In addition, he said the government would bring home-based schools into the public education system. As a result, children in remote valleys would get equal access to schooling.
“If we want to achieve development, we must start preparing for the future today,” he said. In addition, he pledged equal educational opportunities for children in far-flung areas.
Transparency pledge and new development authority
The chief minister acknowledged that resources had not been properly utilised in the past. He promised transparency and accountability in future projects. Furthermore, he announced the Diamer Development Authority. It will fast-track schemes and ensure benefits reach local communities.
During the visit, he met heads of government departments. He also interacted with residents. In addition, he inspected development projects, hospitals, colleges and power projects. He directed officials to complete ongoing projects on time. Finally, he urged people to set aside their differences and work together for the region’s development.
Doctors, jobs and infrastructure for Diamer
On healthcare, the chief minister said orders had been issued. Specifically, these will recruit more than 50 doctors in Diamer under the Special Pay Scale scheme. Meanwhile, facilities at the Regional Headquarters Hospital in Chilas would be upgraded. This would address staffing and operational gaps.
For employment, 500 police vacancies will be reserved for Diamer residents. In addition, Wapda has announced 400 additional jobs for locals. Furthermore, infrastructure schemes will be executed by Wapda. These cover sewerage, Safe City and water supply. Moreover, they will run under strict government oversight.
He also announced a mobile veterinary hospital. It will promote livestock farming. In addition, he announced measures to strengthen agriculture and support farmers in the district.
Diamer out of school children: a national crisis in miniature
Diamer’s 55,000 out-of-school children reflect a wider emergency. More than 25 million children remain out of school across Pakistan. This is confirmed by published national reviews. The problem is sharpest in remote districts like Diamer. There, distance, poverty and a shortage of schools keep children out of classrooms. Indeed, girls suffer the most.
Provinces are experimenting with different fixes for the same problem. For example, Sindh has been handing out tablets to centres teaching out-of-school children. Meanwhile, the GB government’s answer is to fold home-based schools into the formal system. Home-based schools are small community classes run from houses in remote valleys. They have long filled the gap where the state could not build schools. Bringing them under the education department could help their students. For instance, they could gain recognised certificates and trained teachers. However, this will only work if the integration is done properly.
Whether Diamer’s new development authority can turn announcements into enrolment will be the real test. The chief minister has acknowledged past failures in how resources were used. Finally, parents in Chilas will judge this plan by one measure. They will count how many of those 55,000 children are sitting in a classroom next year.
How many children are out of school in Diamer?
Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain says nearly 55,000 children are out of school in Diamer district.
What is the government doing about it?
The GB government plans to integrate home-based schools into the public system. It will also establish the Diamer Development Authority. In addition, it will recruit 50 doctors and upgrade the Chilas hospital. Finally, it will create 900 jobs for locals.
How big is the out-of-school problem nationally?
More than 25 million children remain out of school across Pakistan. This is according to published national education reviews.
