AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION
MEDIA RELEASE
05 June 2008
Australia supports quality primary education in Balochistan
Australia will provide US$1 million to support quality primary education in Balochistan.
Working with UNICEF, Australian assistance will provide quality educational supplies and improve the physical environment of 270 boys’ schools in six districts of Balochistan.
Since 1999, Australia, through UNICEF, has been working in partnership with the Government of Balochistan to increase girls’ access to quality primary education. In 2007 Australia began to support boys’ education in the same areas.
This additional funding will allow these efforts to continue.
Balochistan is the largest and least developed province of Pakistan. Educational opportunities are limited, especially in rural areas, where school enrolment rates and literacy levels are the lowest in the country. Despite improvements in recent years, drop-out rates remain high due to unsatisfactory teaching and learning conditions.
“Australian assistance will target schools with an estimated enrolment of 9,800 students”, said Australian High Commissioner, Ms Zorica McCarthy. “Teachers and community groups, parents, religious leaders and district government will be involved in the program through training, meetings, mobilisation and management at various levels.”
“A key aim of the project will be to strengthen strategic partnerships between government schools and communities.”
The Australian Government provides assistance in Pakistan in partnership with the Government of Pakistan. Bilateral programs focus on improving health and education, post-earthquake reconstruction, building agricultural linkages between Australia and Pakistan, and providing scholarships at Australian institutions.
Australia will provide an estimated $30.5 million in development assistance to Pakistan in 2008-09 and plans to significantly increase its aid program in future years.