Over 4,000 Government Schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Declared Dilapidated

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

Following a tragic incident where a private school building collapsed in Peshawar’s Dir Colony, resulting in the deaths of 31 students and a teacher, the department conducted a thorough survey of government schools. Initial estimates indicate that approximately Rs16.2 billion will be required to repair and reconstruct these facilities, which include 8,088 classrooms, 2,949 group latrines, and 48 examination halls.

This alarming revelation underscores the urgent need for infrastructure improvements in the education sector, raising concerns about the safety and well-being of students. The government has also directed the Elementary and Secondary Education Authority (ESEA) to inspect private school buildings throughout the province, highlighting a broader commitment to ensuring educational safety.

As the ESEA continues its inspections, having already assessed over 6,000 of the 12,493 registered private schools, stakeholders are calling for swift action to address these critical issues. The education department is expected to outline a detailed plan for funding and prioritizing the reconstruction efforts in the coming weeks.