Over 60 Schools Affected as Floods Hit KPK

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been one of the hardest-hit provinces in the ongoing monsoon floods in Pakistan. According to official reports, more than 60 schools have been damaged in different flood-affected districts of the province. This destruction poses a serious challenge for students, teachers, and families who were already grappling with limited educational resources.

The damages include:

• Partial collapse of school buildings

• Floodwater entering classrooms

• Furniture and learning materials were destroyed

• Boundary walls washed away

• The infrastructure is weakened, posing safety risks for students

Officials warn that if timely repairs are not carried out, thousands of students will be unable to resume their studies in the upcoming academic session.

Authorities revealed that the floods have primarily impacted Buner, Swat, Chitral, Shangla, and Dir — areas that were already vulnerable to natural disasters. The majority of schools in these districts serve rural populations where children rely heavily on government institutions for education.

• Buner & Swat: Dozens of schools submerged or structurally damaged.

• Shangla & Dir: Landslides caused by heavy rains washed away school boundaries.

• Chitral: Flash floods damaged road connectivity, cutting off access to several schools.

The floods have forced thousands of students to stay at home as schools remain closed in the affected regions. Teachers and parents have expressed concern that this prolonged disruption will worsen the already existing learning gap created by past natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), has started assessing the damage. Relief teams are distributing tents, food rations, and medical supplies to affected families, but the reconstruction of schools remains a critical need.

• NDMA has pledged support for temporary learning spaces.

• KP Education Department is preparing a detailed damage report.

• Local administration is identifying schools that can be reopened after minor repairs.

• NGOs and welfare organizations are being urged to step in with rehabilitation support.

Humanitarian experts stress that the situation requires international assistance, particularly in rebuilding schools and providing emergency educational support. Pakistan has faced back-to-back natural disasters in recent years, and experts say climate change has worsened the frequency and intensity of floods.

The destruction of over 60 schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a tragic reminder of how natural disasters disrupt not only lives and livelihoods but also the future of children. The government’s swift response, combined with international aid and community support, is essential to ensure that education is not permanently derailed for the students of flood-hit districts.