BALOCHISTAN Residential College, Zhob (BRC-Z) is one of the ideal boarding institutions playing a significant role in imparting quality education at an incredibly low cost to the youngsters from class VII to XII of Zhob, which is a remote area in a relatively underprivileged province.

It was established and made functional in 2016 to improve the declining standard of education, and to enhance the literacy rate. It is spread over an area of 205 acres comprising mainly water channels, rugged terrains and a fenceless boundary.

The institution faces numerous problems, ranging from accommodation for the students and teachers, lack of blacktop roads, family quarters and grassy playgrounds to an ineffective security framework. Also, the institution has a serious dearth of teaching and nonteachingstaffforlong.

The posts under various categories wereadvertised by the education department in 2021, and lists of candidates were also finalised, but no further action has been taken since then. The security of the institution is the key concern that needs to be taken seriously in view of volatile regional developments and its relatively remote location from Zhob city.

Additional security personnel should be deployed at the premises to deal with any challenge. Several watchtowers falling within the jurisdiction of the local Levies force are lying unmanned and that can pose a serious threat to the lives of over 350 students and teachers. Besides, fluctuation in the electricity causes disruption in the supply of drinking water to the hostels and teachers` lodges.

The provincial government should look into the genuine problems of what truely was an institution of high repute, and take prompt action for an early solution.

Guldar Ali Khan Wazir Zhob