Giving up the ghost: 387 govt schools non-functional across K-P

Only 5,000 secondary schools are in working condition in province


Asad Zia December 07, 2014

PESHAWAR: According to the K-P Elementary and Secondary Education Annual Statistical Report 2013-14, around 387 schools in the province are non-functional across the province. 

There are 28,319 government schools in K-P, out of which 367 primary and 20 secondary schools are not serving the purpose they were built for. The report added even in the schools which were open, 24% lack boundary walls, 34% are without water supply, 46% do not have electricity and 22% lack restrooms.

Nowhere to go

Since approximately just 17.72% of government schools in K-P are of the secondary level, fewer children have the opportunity to pursue further education, providing some explanation for the province’s dropout rates. The statistics reflect the exceedingly low number of children who end up completing their matriculation, as compared to the ones starting school.

Premises ‘taken’

An elementary and secondary education department official, requesting anonymity told The Express Tribune authorities are not serious about overhauling schools that are closed across the province. He said a majority of such facilities have been occupied by landlords and influential people who use the premises as car parks, hujras or ranches.



He alleged much-trumpeted projects are carried out in order to provide cover for major flaws like these.

Asking for more time

Education department director Muhammad Rafique Khattak told The Express Tribune the schools have been temporarily closed due to a lack of essential facilities and faculty.

He said the government has already advertised 5,000 vacant teaching posts in boys and girls schools across the province. “Teachers will be hired once tests are conducted by the National Testing Service.”

Khattak maintained the government is addressing health and education issues. “This is the reason why we have doubled the budget allocation for the sectors.”

He said projects like Tameer-e-School will begin to bear fruit after some time and change is already in place.

Khattak added so far 50 schools have been revamped through community engagement.

Breakdown of functional schools in K-P




























Boys



Girls



Total



Primary



14,670



8,222



22,892



Secondary



3,132



1,868



5,000



Total



17,802



10,090



27,892



Breakdown of non-functional schools in K-P




























Boys



Girls



Total



Primary



144



223



367



Secondary



6



14



20



Total



150



237



387



Published in The Express Tribune, December 8th, 2014.

COMMENTS (2)

Ali Turi | 9 years ago | Reply

Although we have polices and but we need to have establish one another department/sector for its implementation...

Lala | 9 years ago | Reply

Can ET also publish the position in comparison to last year as there has been a great improvement.

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