MARDAN: Serious questions are being raised about the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government’s claims of an “education emergency” as a dire state of school infrastructure is revealed in Mardan district.
District Education Officer (DEO) Mardan, Mail Muhammad Zahid, confirmed that 90 schools in the district are in such poor condition they need complete rebuilding. Letters requesting reconstruction have been sent to relevant authorities.
The crisis extends far beyond these condemned buildings. DEO Zahid stated that none of Mardan’s 1,038 educational institutions – comprising 823 primary, 83 middle, 85 high, and 47 higher secondary schools – have essential basic facilities. Every single school lacks proper washrooms, electricity, and boundary walls. Furthermore, 95% of schools lack solar power systems (solarization), a critical need in the region.
Zahid added that demand letters outlining these urgent needs have been submitted to the provincial education department, expressing hope for a “positive report” soon.
However, locals report that these critical shortages of water, sanitation, power, and security have persisted for years. This neglect threatens children’s access to education and creates severe difficulties for teaching staff. Residents also accuse their elected representatives of prolonged silence regarding the decaying state of Mardan’s schools.
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