PESHAWAR — More than 3,796 government schools across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa operate without electricity, exposing a major gap in basic educational infrastructure, according to an official Education Department report.
The report shows that out of 34,784 government schools in the province, 3,796 schools have no power supply. That accounts for more than 11% of all public schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Mansehra tops the list with 202 schools without electricity.
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Kohistan Upper follows with 191 schools, South Waziristan Upper has 124, Battagram 117, Lower Kohistan 92, and Kolai Palas 89. Bannu reported 66 schools, Mohmand 55, and Dera Ismail Khan 53 schools lacking electricity.
The data highlights a stark disparity between merged and settled districts. In merged districts, 2,183 out of 6,223 schools operate without electricity. That is nearly 35%. By comparison, only 1,613 out of 27,679 schools in settled districts lack power, or 5.8%. Officials say the problem is most severe at the primary level.
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The report identifies 2,213 boys’ primary schools and 1,085 girls’ primary schools in the province without electricity. Merged districts also report high numbers. South Waziristan Upper has 124 schools without power, Bajaur 91, Bannu Sub-Division 75, Mohmand 55, Orakzai 51, and Kurram 33.
Kohistan Upper faces the worst conditions overall. Education experts warn that the lack of electricity directly affects students’ learning, especially during summer, and limits the use of digital tools and basic facilities like fans and lights.
The report calls for urgent investment to electrify schools, with priority for merged districts where the gap is several times higher than in settled areas.
