THERE has been a serious education crisis in Gilgit-Baltistan marked by shortage of trained teachers, inadequate infrastructure and limited higher education opportunities.
Poor examination results are affecting students’ future. Recent examination results have exposed the severity of the problem. According to reports, around 60 to 70 per cent students in classes V and VIII failed in the region. The situation in Diamer is particularly concerning, where out of 125 primary schools, 53 recorded a zero per cent pass rate in class V examinations.
The crisis is not limited to just school education. GB does not have a medical college, while its existing universities face financial constraints and lack of faculty and academic resources. More than 25,000 students reportedly leave the region every year to pursue higher education elsewhere.
The government must treat education in GB as an urgent priority. Teacher shortages should be addressed, regular professional training should be provided, and experienced teachers should remain focused on classroom teaching. Schools also need better infrastructure and access to modern learning resources. At the higher education level, the region needs more professionalinstitutions so thatlocal students are notforced toleave their homes for basic educational opportunities.
AsiyaBatool Islamabad