The recent flood and heavy rains have caused severe damage to the education sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). According to officials, 61 government schools have been completely destroyed, while 414 others have been partially damaged across the province.
The hardest-hit districts include Dir Lower, Shangla, Haripur, Swat, and Mohmand, where students and teachers are struggling due to the loss of school facilities. Tragically, the floods have also claimed lives: four teachers, one staff member, and four students lost their lives, while three teachers sustained injuries.
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To ensure that education continues, the provincial education department has announced plans to establish pre-fabricated schools in affected areas. These temporary structures will allow children to resume learning as reconstruction work begins.
Officials highlighted that government school buildings in KP are already under pressure. Over the years, they have been damaged by earthquakes, terrorism, and previous floods, leaving the education system more vulnerable to disasters. This latest calamity has further exposed the urgent need for resilient infrastructure and long-term planning.
Education experts warn that delays in reconstruction could disrupt learning for thousands of students. They emphasize that rebuilding efforts must focus not only on restoring damaged schools but also on making them safer and stronger to withstand future natural disasters.
The provincial government has assured that emergency funds will be used for recovery, and work on damaged schools will begin soon. Community participation and donor support are also being encouraged to speed up the rehabilitation process.
The tragedy highlights a critical lesson: investing in durable school infrastructure is vital for protecting the future of children and the education system in disaster-prone regions.
FAQs
1. How many schools were affected by the floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?
A total of 475 schools were impacted—61 destroyed and 414 partially damaged.
2. Which districts were hit the hardest?
The worst damage occurred in Dir Lower, Shangla, Haripur, Swat, and Mohmand.
3. Were there any casualties in the education sector?
Yes, four teachers, one staff member, and four students lost their lives, while three teachers were injured.
4. What steps is the education department taking?
The department plans to deploy pre-fabricated schools to quickly resume education in affected areas.
5. Why is school infrastructure in KP so vulnerable?
Repeated damage from earthquakes, terrorism, and previous floods has weakened school buildings, making them less resilient to natural disasters.
