Over 4,000 Government Schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Declared Dilapidated

News Desk

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa elementary and secondary education department has identified 4,049 government schools across the province as ‘dilapidated’ and urgently in need of reconstruction and rehabilitation to ensure the safety of students and teachers.

The department’s initial estimates indicate that approximately Rs16.2 billion will be required to repair and rebuild these schools, which include 8,088 classrooms, 2,949 group latrines, and 48 examination halls.

This alarming assessment follows a tragic incident in Peshawar’s Dir Colony, where the collapse of a private school building resulted in the deaths of 31 students and a female teacher.

This situation raises significant concerns regarding the safety and quality of education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, highlighting the urgent need for government intervention and funding.

The deteriorating condition of school infrastructure poses risks not only to students but also to the broader educational framework in the province, potentially affecting enrollment and academic performance.

In response to these findings, the government has tasked the Elementary and Secondary Education Authority (ESEA) with conducting inspections of private school buildings throughout the province.

So far, the ESEA has inspected over 6,000 of the 12,493 registered private schools, aiming to ensure that all educational institutions meet safety standards.