A worrying new picture of school buildings has emerged in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to figures from the provincial Education Department, 36,967 dilapidated classrooms exist in KP government schools. Of these, 19,224 classrooms need complete reconstruction and 17,743 need repairs. The data came to light days after the deadly roof collapse at a private school in Peshawar’s Dir Colony, which has put school safety at the top of the national agenda.
Dilapidated Classrooms in KP: The Numbers
The figures count individual classrooms, not whole school buildings. Here is a simple breakdown:
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Total dilapidated classrooms | 36,967 |
| Classrooms needing reconstruction | 19,224 |
| Classrooms needing repairs | 17,743 |
| Government schools in KP | 34,784 |
| Registered private schools (PSRA) | 11,542 |
In simple terms, more than half of the damaged classrooms are in such poor condition that repairs will not be enough; they must be rebuilt. Thousands of children are still studying in rooms with cracked walls, weak roofs or broken floors.
What the Education Department Says
Education Department Director Jaffar Mansoor said that 1,000 new classrooms are currently being built using Parent-Teacher Council (PTC) funds. He added that the province has more than 34,000 government schools with hundreds of thousands of classrooms, which shows the scale of the challenge.
While 1,000 new rooms is a positive step, it covers only a small part of the 19,224 classrooms that need reconstruction. Teachers and parents say a much larger, time-bound rebuilding plan with a dedicated budget is needed.
Also read
Latest News: Punjab Textbook Shortage Fears Grow as Tenders for Grades 1 to 5 Remain Pending
Private Schools and the PSRA
The Private Schools Regulatory Authority (PSRA) says 11,542 private schools are registered in KP. However, PSRA does not keep any data on unregistered schools. It only takes action against them when it receives complaints. This gap is dangerous, as many small private schools run in rented houses or old buildings that were never designed for classrooms.
After the Peshawar tragedy, authorities directed PSRA to draft safety regulations for private educational institutions. These rules are expected to cover:
- Building standards and structural safety
- Regular inspections
- Classroom capacity limits
- Emergency evacuation arrangements
Also read
Latest News: Punjab Announces New Non-Formal Schools Timings – 8:45 AM to 12:45 PM Till March 2027
Why This Matters for Teachers and Students
For teachers, unsafe classrooms are more than a building problem. They affect attendance, concentration and the trust of parents. In many schools, teachers are forced to hold classes outdoors, merge classes or use verandas when rooms are declared unsafe. This lowers the quality of teaching and adds extra pressure on staff.
School heads and teachers can play an important role while long-term repairs are pending:
- Report cracks, leaks or weak roofs to the district education office in writing.
- Avoid using rooms that have been declared unsafe, even if space is short.
- Keep emergency exits clear and practise basic evacuation drills with students.
- Inform parents through PTC meetings and involve them in minor repairs where possible.
Earlier, both Punjab and KP ordered school safety inspections and directed that unsafe buildings be closed. The new KP data shows how much work remains.
Also read
Latest Jobs: Malir University Jobs 2026 – Faculty and Staff Needed for New Malir Medical College
What Should Happen Next?
Education experts suggest a few clear steps: a complete public survey of every school building, a priority list starting with the most dangerous classrooms, a dedicated reconstruction budget in the next financial year, and strict registration and inspection of all private schools. Without these steps, the risk of another tragedy remains.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many classrooms in KP government schools are dilapidated?
36,967 classrooms, according to Education Department sources.
How many need to be rebuilt?
19,224 classrooms need reconstruction, while 17,743 need repairs.
What is being done right now?
About 1,000 new classrooms are being built with Parent-Teacher Council funds, and PSRA has been asked to draft safety rules for private schools.
Does PSRA have data on unregistered schools?
No. PSRA acts against unregistered schools only when it receives complaints.
Conclusion
The figure of nearly 37,000 dilapidated classrooms is a wake-up call for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Safe classrooms are the most basic right of every student and teacher. The government now needs to turn surveys and statements into real construction work on the ground. Read the original report on ProPakistani.
Parents’ role
Parents can also help by checking the building when they visit school, raising concerns at PTC meetings and supporting small repair works funded through the council.
Also Read: KP Orders Fair Exam Duties for Teachers | SALU Cancels 1,184 Fake LLB Degrees | Punjab and KP Order School Safety Inspections