Introduction

Balochistan is facing a serious education crisis, with a large number of children out of school and insufficient data to effectively address high dropout rates. Provincial Education Minister Raheela Hameed Khan Durrani raised these concerns at a policy roundtable, emphasizing the urgent need for evidence-based solutions.

Minister’s Commitment to Reform

The education minister stressed the importance of strengthening policymakers’ capacity through in-depth analysis to tackle the crisis. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reducing dropout rates, particularly among young girls, by introducing innovative approaches and tools.

Policy Roundtable and Collaboration

The roundtable was organized by the Data and Research in Education-Research Consortium (DARE-RC) to align education research with Balochistan’s policy priorities. Government officials, academics, and development partners participated, aiming to integrate emerging evidence into decision-making.

Minister Durrani thanked DARE-RC for its support and expressed hope that the collaboration would help achieve long-term education goals in the province.

The Role of DARE-RC

DARE-RC is a collaborative initiative led by Oxford Policy Management (OPM), Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED), and Sightsavers, funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Its mission is to bridge the gap between research and policymaking, ensuring academic insights are relevant to government needs.

Program director Saima Anwer highlighted that the spirit of DARE-RC is to make university research meaningful for real policy reform.

Voices from the Roundtable

• Salim Salamah, Education Policy Adviser, stressed the importance of bridging research and reform while appreciating the contributions of Pakistani academics and policymakers in improving education access.

• Asfandyar Khan Kakar, Secretary of the Balochistan School Education Department, underlined the importance of dialogues that connect government efforts with academic expertise and encouraged inclusion of local resources in driving education reforms.

Building a Data-Driven Culture

Participants agreed that fostering a culture of data utilization is critical to improving both access and quality of education in Balochistan. By using evidence and innovative tools, the province hopes to lower dropout rates and bring more children, especially girls, into classrooms.

Conclusion

The roundtable highlighted the urgent need for collaborative, research-driven education reform in Balochistan. With government commitment and academic partnerships, stakeholders aim to overcome challenges, reduce dropout rates, and ensure all children have access to quality education.

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FAQs

Q: What is the main education challenge in Balochistan?
A: A large number of out-of-school children and high dropout rates, particularly among girls.

Q: Who organized the policy roundtable on education?
A: The Data and Research in Education-Research Consortium (DARE-RC).

Q: Which organizations are part of DARE-RC?
A: Oxford Policy Management (OPM), Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED), and Sightsavers.

Q: Who funds the DARE-RC initiative?
A: The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Q: What was a key recommendation from the roundtable?
A: Building a strong culture of data utilization to improve education policies and access.