Quetta: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan, in collaboration with its examination body, the Education Testing Council (ETC), has conducted a series of orientation sessions for 200 principals and senior education department officials from 39 districts across Balochistan. The sessions, held at the Government Girls Postgraduate College in Quetta, aimed to prepare these educators for an upcoming aptitude test linked to a scholarship initiative targeting underprivileged female students.

According to Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, the orientation sessions are part of a broader effort under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in May 2026 between the HEC’s Human Resource Development (HRD) division, the ETC, and the School Education Department (SED) of the Government of Balochistan. The MoU outlines plans to conduct aptitude tests for female students vying for 400 scholarships under the Balochistan Education Support Programme, financially supported by the World Bank.

The scholarship program is designed to provide deserving female students with opportunities to pursue B.Ed. or BS Education degrees at leading national universities, starting from the Fall 2026 session. The initiative aims to equip students with the necessary skills to contribute effectively to the education sector in Balochistan.

During the closing ceremony of the sessions, Balochistan’s Minister for Education, Raheela Hameed Khan Durrani, expressed her appreciation for the stakeholders’ involvement and commended HEC Pakistan’s efforts. She highlighted the significance of such initiatives in advancing higher education and empowering women within the province.

The HRD team, led by Project Director Bahram Qasim Jan, emphasized the scholarship program’s role in enhancing access to higher education for students in Balochistan. The ETC team, under Consultant Dr. Imtiaz Haider, provided guidance on the scholarship aptitude test, concluding the sessions with a mock test.

Follow-up sessions are planned across various districts to ensure widespread dissemination of information and encourage eligible students to seize this educational opportunity.