Education Ziarat

Introduction

The overall profile of the education sector in Ziarat district is fairly good. A steady, though still not adequate, increase has been maintained in the number of schools, teachers and students. What is, however, most gratifying is the report that the performance of schools is good. Classes are held regularly, attendance is good, and so is the standard of teaching, as the reports go. Due to seasonal migration the school schedule in Ziarat town and upper valleys gets delayed by about 10-15 day as the return of local population gets delayed, which happens if the cold/snowfall is heavier than normal.

 The district has educational facilities only up to high school level. There is a proposal to start a Higher secondary school/college, too. The number of schools is given in the table below.

 The number of teachers, male and female taken together, is 440 (for 1994-95). This is 45 more than the corresponding total of 395 in 1992-93.

Number of Teachers in Government Schools

 School enrolment has maintained a steady upward trend during 1991-97. In 1996-97 the total enrolment was 8,414 as compared with 5,979 in 1991-92.

Enrolment in government schools

-- = Data no available

M = Male

F = Female

T = Total

The continuous increase in girls enrolment is a notable positive feature. The parents attitude towards girls education at least at primary level is quite positive.

Government School System

Government school system is identical throughout Balochistan province which comprises the following types of schools, all of which, except those at serial number of 9-11, exist in Ziarat district.

 1. Primary Schools for Boys Single and multi teachers Schools.

2. Primary Schools for Girls "

3. Mosque shools (mixed) "

4. Middle Schools for Boys Multi teachers Schools

5. Middle Schools for Girls "

6. High Schools for Boys "

7. High Schools for Girls "

8. Model High Schools for Boys in Dist.HQ. "

9. Model High Schools for Girls in Dist. HQ "

10. Community M.Schools (mixed) Multi teachers Schools

11. Home/Muhalla School Single teachers Schools

A Masjid School at Ziarat.

Primary Schools

Primary Schools are the lowest tier in the education pyramid. They provide Schooling for five years (class 1- 5). The child is taught Urdu, arithmetic, and general knowledge. Islamyat is taught as a compulsory subject to all Muslim pupils at primary and higher level. The staff of a typical primary School consists of one headmaster/headmistress, and one JVT (Junior Vernacular Teacher). The district has 121 primary Schools, 92 for boys and 29 for girls. The total number of teachers is 240 (1996-97).

Fellowship schools (girls only)

Fellowship Schools are Schools opened by the Society for Community Support For Female Primary Education. Under this programme Village Education Committees (VECs) are established. The VEC provides a local female teacher (minimum 8th grade pass) and receives a grant from the Society. The School charges a fee from all the students. After successful operation of three years, a building is provided by the government and services of teachers are acquired.

Middle Schools

The middle school comprises eight class (1 to 8 including the primary sections). The staff for a middle school comprises:

 One Headmaster/headmistress 

. SST Secondary School Teacher

. JET Junior English Teacher

. JAT Junior Arabic Teacher

. DM Drawing Master

. PTI Physical Training Instructor

. MQ Mualimul- Quran

. JVT Junior Vernacular Teacher

The district has 11 middle Schools including three for girls.

High Schools

The high school comprises up to 10 class (1 to 10) with primary and middle sections included. Humanities and science are taught at this level. The staff for each School comprises:

 One headmaster/headmistress 

. SST Secondary School Teacher

. SAT Senior Arabic Teacher

. JET Junior English Teacher

. JAT Junior Arabic Teacher

. DM Drawing Master

. PTI Physical Training Instructor

. MQ Mualimul- Quran

. JVT Junior Vernacular Teacher

The total number of high schools is seven including one for girls.

GO/NGO/private, etc. involvement in Education Development

Conclusion and major Development Issues

The overall situation of the education sector is fairly good. The schools, particularly for girls, are fewer than needed. But it is gratifying that the public is in general satisfied with the performance of the schools. There are however some development issues that need to be attended to urgently. The major issues are:

• A degree college is needed for boys
• There are 26 shelter-less primary, and 15 mosque Schools. Proper buildings are needed for these schools.
• The impact of seasonal migration on education in Ziarat needs to be studied and appropriate measures taken to offset adverse impacts, which are believed to be there.
• The imbalance between educational facilities for boys and girls should be corrected. To increase female enrolment female teachers need to be trained and inducted and more schools for girls need to be constructed.
• Although school teachers are reportedly performing better in this district than in the neighbouring Sibi district, there is a need felt to provide in-service training to the existing teachers, and appoint trained graduates in a larger number in future.

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