Lal Jan Jaffar Addresses Quetta Inter-School Badminton, Spelling Bee and Science Olympiad Prize Ceremony

QUETTA: Secretary Secondary Education Balochistan Lal Jan Jaffar has said that holding competitions outside the regular curriculum is extremely important for the intellectual, academic and physical development of boys and girls.

He said that promoting science, sports and creative activities helps build self-confidence, a spirit of inquiry and a healthy sense of competition among students.

He was speaking as chief guest at the finals and prize distribution ceremony of the Inter-School Badminton Championship, Spelling Bee competition and Science Olympiad, organised by the Pakistan Children’s Academy Trust Quetta on November 7.

The competitions, which began on October 28, 2026, drew strong participation from educational institutions across Quetta. A total of 45 schools took part in the Spelling Bee, 135 schools in the Science Olympiad and 135 schools in the badminton championship.

The badminton matches were held in the girls’ singles, boys’ junior singles and boys’ senior singles categories, with 355 students in total displaying their skills.

Results and prize distribution

The Secretary Schools described the Pakistan Children’s Academy Trust’s holding of such competitions for the educational, scientific and physical training of children as a commendable initiative, and paid tribute to the far-sighted and long-standing efforts of Begum Saqiba Raheem-ud-Din.

He said that science education in Balochistan has historically not produced satisfactory results, and that competitions such as the Science Olympiad play a key role in fostering curiosity, research, creative thinking and interest in scientific subjects among students.

According to the results, Ummat Public School Quetta won first position in the Spelling Bee, while Begum Saqiba School of Modern Age Quetta came second. In the Science Olympiad, Ummat Public School and Pak Jinnah Residential High School Satellite Town jointly secured first position.

In the girls’ singles badminton, Ummat Public School Quetta took first place and Begum Saqiba School of Modern Age came second. In the boys’ junior category, Pak Arab International School finished first and CB School second. In the boys’ senior category, Horizon School took both first and second positions.

At the close of the ceremony, Lal Jan Jaffar presented trophies, medals and certificates to the successful students. Certificates of commendation were also given to all other participants to encourage them.

He reaffirmed his commitment that encouragement of such efforts would continue in order to promote science, sports and other positive co-curricular activities in Balochistan’s educational institutions.