In the wake of a devastating earthquake in 2013, the Mashkay region of Awaran district, Balochistan, continues to grapple with an educational setback, with over 50 schools still closed, according to a statement by the Mashkay Civil Society.
The earthquake, which struck on September 24, 2013, left a significant portion of the region’s educational infrastructure in ruins. The society’s statement states that, in the absence of functional school buildings, some of these spaces have been taken over by livestock, symbolizing the area’s educational decline.
While initiatives were taken to restore the educational system following the quake, efforts have stalled. Teachers from the region moved to urban centers such as Hub, Karachi, and Quetta. These moves, while beneficial for individual careers, have left a void, affecting more than 2,000 students’ access to education.
The statement further criticizes the district administration’s approach to education. Despite several outreach efforts, including campaigns on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), local authorities have yet to take substantial action to rehabilitate the schools. The society has named several areas, including Nokjo and Gorakai, where schools remain non-operational.
The Mashkay Civil Society’s statement concludes with an urgent plea to the Minister of Education, stressing the importance of addressing the educational disparity in the region and hinting at possible future actions to ensure the rights of students are upheld.