Balochistan Introduces Double-Shift Teaching

What happened

The Balochistan cabinet has approved double-shift teaching in government schools to increase student capacity without needing new infrastructure. This decision aims to expand access to education and improve public services. In another development, Punjab is facing a shortage of approximately 839,000 textbooks, affecting students who lack essential learning materials despite nearly half the academic year having passed.

The Balochistan government’s decision to introduce double-shift teaching is part of a broader package of reforms covering mineral development, tourism, culture, industrial incentives, and public procurement. The cabinet also approved the Balochistan Non-Formal Education Act, 2025, targeting around 1.6 million children aged 10 to 16 who are outside the formal education system. In Punjab, authorities have issued printing allocations for 18 textbook titles to address the supply gap, but no confirmed timeline has been provided for when the additional copies will become available.

Who is affected

The introduction of double-shift teaching in Balochistan will affect government schools and students in the province. The decision is expected to increase student capacity and provide more access to education. However, the lack of details on staffing and shift timings may cause concerns for teachers and school administrators. In Punjab, the shortage of textbooks affects students who are still lacking essential learning materials, which may impact their academic performance.

The shortage of textbooks in Punjab is a significant issue, as it affects a large number of students. Education experts have questioned why the shortfall remained unresolved this far into the year and expressed concern about how long printing and distribution would take before the books finally reached students. The delay in providing textbooks may have a negative impact on students’ learning outcomes and academic achievements.

Key dates and details

The Balochistan cabinet approved the double-shift teaching arrangement, but no specific start date has been announced. The cabinet also approved the Balochistan Non-Formal Education Act, 2025, which targets around 1.6 million children aged 10 to 16. In Punjab, authorities have issued printing allocations for 18 textbook titles, including 85,000 copies of Tarjumat-ul-Quran for Class 12 and 70,000 Biology textbooks for Class 10.

Some key allocations include:

• 65,000 Urdu books for Class 12
• 54,000 Biology books for Class 12
• 45,000 Chemistry books for Class 12
• 70,000 Computer books for Class 12
• 80,000 copies of the pre-primary primer
• 35,000 Class 4 Islamyat books

What you should do

Students and parents in Balochistan should be prepared for the introduction of double-shift teaching in government schools. They should check with their schools for more information on the new arrangement and how it will affect their schedules. In Punjab, students and parents should check with their schools for updates on the availability of textbooks and seek alternative learning materials if necessary.

Teachers and school administrators in Balochistan should be prepared to adapt to the new double-shift teaching arrangement. They should plan their schedules and staffing accordingly to ensure a smooth transition. In Punjab, teachers and school administrators should work with authorities to ensure that textbooks are distributed to students as soon as possible.