80% of Swat's schools on brink of collapse

Education officials confirm dire state of buildings

PESHAWAR:

As many as 80% of government school buildings in Malakand have been classified as dangerous by the Communication and Works Department, thus endangering the safety students, teachers and education administrations in the region.

Many of these structures are at risk of collapsing at any time, posing a serious threat to the lives of students. Among the unsafe buildings are primary schools built before Pakistan's Independence, specifically in 1912 and 1926.

The district education officer (DEO) of Malakand has also confirmed that 80% of the district's school buildings are in poor and hazardous conditions.

Sources indicate that in the constituency of PK-23, including Batkhela and Baizai tehsils, 11 school buildings need to be completely demolished and rebuilt. These include GPS Zain Agra, GPS Gulabad, GPS Mishta, GPS Margho, GPS Kalangi, GPS Barro Sar, GPS No. 2 Barro Sar, GPS Akbarabad, GPS Danda Thana, GPS Haibat Gram Thana, and GPS Sherkhana Palli. In addition, 59 more schools are in severely dilapidated and dangerous conditions.

According to DEO office sources, provincial authorities have been repeatedly highlighted the state of these schools in writing, but no action has been taken thus far. Public circles have demanded that these dangerous school buildings be rebuilt to ensure the safety and future of the students.

At the beginning July in 2024, six children were injured when the roof of a classroom collapsed in the Tangaar village of the Gwalerai union council in Matta tehsil, Swat

At the time, Swat's Rescue 1122 spokesperson Shafiqa Gul said that three of the injured children were in critical condition. She added that after receiving initial treatment at the Matta Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, the children were transferred to Saidu Teaching Hospital for further care.

An earlier statement from Rescue 1122 noted that rescue, medical, and disaster response teams reached the scene promptly upon receiving an alert. Volunteers rescued the children, provided first aid, and then transported them to the Matta THQ Hospital.

The incident followed another tragedy where a school bus fell into a ditch in Swat's Khwazakhela tehsil, resulting in a child's death and injuries to 41 others.

In June, education officials and experts highlighted that many flood-damaged schools in Swat still await rehabilitation. They urged both government and nongovernment bodies to support efforts to provide adequate facilities, particularly for girls' schools.

Education in Swat faces numerous challenges that threaten both the safety of students and the quality of their learning environment. Among the most pressing concerns are the poor infrastructure of schools, natural disasters, security issues, and limited resources, all of which hamper educational progress in the region.

Many schools, especially those located in remote and flood-prone areas, have aged, structurally unsound facilities that are prone to collapse. This was evident recently from the Tangaar village roof collapse.

Frequent landslides and floods during monsoon seasons exacerbate this problem, damaging buildings and making it dangerous for students to attend classes.

Despite the significant impact of flooding in the past, particularly in 2022, numerous schools in Swat have yet to be fully rehabilitated, putting students at risk every day.

Natural disasters are a recurring hazard in the region, causing both short and long-term interruptions to education. Swat's vulnerability to floods and landslides not only leads to physical damage but also delays in the school year, further impacting the quality of education and causing setbacks for students, especially those in rural areas.

Additionally, security concerns persist, affecting parents' willingness to send their children to school, particularly girls. Sociocultural barriers, coupled with occasional security incidents, have created an environment where many girls face hurdles in pursuing consistent, quality education.

Despite efforts from local and nongovernmental organisations to enhance school infrastructure and provide resources, progress is slow, and there is a continued need for support to make schools safer and more inclusive.

Education experts highlight that addressing these dangers requires a collaborative approach from government authorities, NGOs, and local communities to improve infrastructure, ensure safety, and cultivate a supportive environment for education in Swat.