China-aided project rebuilds 50 schools, but 8 more institutions, 21 district buildings remain wrecked
KHYBER:
Despite repeated claims of reconstruction, several government schools in Bara sub-division that were destroyed during the years of militancy remain without proper buildings.
Children continue to study in tents, temporary structures, under the open sky, or amid the rubble of ruined classrooms.
Government High School Muwaz Khel, blown up with explosives in December 2011, is still waiting for reconstruction nearly 15 years later. The skeletal remains of the destroyed building still stand, and school officials say the crumbling ruins now pose a safety risk to students.
Headmaster Gulab Gul Afridi told The Express Tribune that both the high and middle sections of the school were completely destroyed. He said he has repeatedly contacted officials and urged them that if a new building cannot be constructed immediately, at least the dangerous ruins should be demolished to prevent an accident.
Young children often play near the collapsed rooms, he warned, creating a constant danger of injury. Letters have been sent to the education department and meetings held with elected representatives, yet no practical progress has been made.
Officials had earlier indicated that the school was included in the Chinese-assisted reconstruction programme, but it later emerged that Muwaz Khel High School was left out. Around 500 students are enrolled in the high and middle sections. Without a proper building, high-section students are sometimes taught while sitting on mats on the open ground, and the primary-section rooms are used whenever space allows.
50 schools rebuilt with Chinese assistance
According to sources in the Khyber education department, 50 government schools destroyed by militants in Bara sub-division have been reconstructed with Chinese cooperation. The list includes 24 boys’ and 26 girls’ schools covering primary, middle and high levels. Classes are now being held regularly in these buildings and teaching staff have been posted.
However, eight more institutions are still awaiting reconstruction. These include Government Primary School Latif Khel and Government Primary School Younas Khel of the Shalobar tribe; Government Primary School Ghazi Gul Khel, Government High School Ghazi Gul Khel and Government Primary School Ibrahim Khel of Malikdin Khel; Government Primary School Aladhand of Kamarkhel; and one government school in Akakhel, among others. Five of the eight are girls’ schools and three are boys’ schools. Students in these institutions continue to study under temporary arrangements.
Temporary arrangements for a decade
Local education sources say pupils at several affected schools have been forced for years to take lessons in tents, makeshift shelters or beside the ruins of their former classrooms. The situation not only disrupts teaching but also denies children a safe and conducive learning environment.
21 schools still in ruins across Khyber district
District Education Officer Khyber, Misri Khan, confirmed that educational activities are continuing in the 50 Chinese-assisted schools with full teaching staff. He added that 21 school buildings across Khyber district remain in a state of ruins.
A PC-1 for their reconstruction has been prepared under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2026-27 and is being forwarded to the relevant department. Once approved, the damaged schools in Bara, including those still without buildings, will be rebuilt, he said.
One phase complete, another still pending
The reconstruction of 50 schools in Bara marks significant progress toward restoring the education system battered by militancy. Yet the continued plight of Muwaz Khel High School and other institutions raises a pointed question: when will every school destroyed during the years of conflict finally be restored?
For the hundreds of students at Muwaz Khel who still lack a proper building, and for those who risk injury near the standing ruins, the need is urgent. If full reconstruction cannot begin at once, at least the dangerous structures must be safely removed.
Education was among the sectors hardest hit in the fight against militancy. Rebuilding 50 schools is a positive step, but the presence of 21 ruined buildings shows that recovery remains incomplete. The real test now is how quickly the ADP 2026-27 scheme receives approval and when the remaining students, including those at Muwaz Khel, finally receive permanent, safe and functional school buildings.
