Islamabad, 19 May, 2025: 37 Girls’ Schools Closed in Khyber district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, due to a critical lack of female teaching staff a move that has severely disrupted the education of hundreds of young girls in the region.
The issue has raised serious concerns among residents and education advocates.
37 Girls’ Schools Closed across three administrative zones:
- 21 in Tehsil Landi Kotal
- 12 in Tehsil Bara
- 4 in Tehsil Jamrud
Local sources confirmed that all affected institutions are government-run primary schools dedicated to female students.
READ MORE: Cambridge School Exams Back on Schedule
These closures mean that girls in these areas now face significant hurdles in continuing their basic education.
The closures have been attributed to a persistent shortage of teaching staff. According to officials, the main issue stems from the unwillingness of qualified female teachers to work in remote and often underdeveloped areas.
Furthermore, there is a noticeable absence of local women eligible for these teaching roles, which has deepened the crisis.
37 Girls’ Schools Closed as recruitment and retention strategies fail to address ground realities. Education department sources say the lack of basic infrastructure, transport challenges, and security concerns further discourage postings in these regions.
READ MORE: Punjab Schools Summer Vacation May Start Early
Community members and education rights groups have voiced alarm over the development, warning that these closures could cause long-term setbacks in the region’s female literacy and school enrollment rates.
For many girls, these government schools were the only accessible source of formal education.
37 Girls’ Schools Closed leaving families uncertain and young girls without clear alternatives.
Education authorities are being urged to revisit their staffing policies, provide incentives for female teachers, and explore alternative solutions such as local recruitment and distance learning tools.
Without prompt intervention, the educational gap for girls in Khyber district could widen further.
