Community Alarmed by 5-Year Closure of School in Pakistan
Synopsis
Residents in a coastal village of Badin, Pakistan, voice their alarm over the five-year closure of a government primary school, depriving children of basic education. Calls for immediate action to restore the school are growing as millions of children remain out of school across the nation.
Key Takeaways
Closure of a primary school in Badin has left children without education for five years.
Residents highlight the dilapidated state of the school building.
26.2 million children are reported to be out of school across Pakistan.
The education budget has decreased significantly in recent years.
Calls for immediate action to reopen and renovate the school are intensifying.
Islamabad, March 10 (NationPress) Residents of a coastal village in the Badin district of Pakistan's Sindh province have expressed serious concerns regarding the prolonged closure of a government primary school, which has left local children without access to essential education for five consecutive years, as reported by local media.
The Government Primary School located in Sheikh Qarehio Bhandari village, the last settlement of Union Council Bhugra Memon in the coastal region of Badin, has been out of operation for years. Community members indicated that the school's infrastructure, resembling a hut, is in a dilapidated state, according to The Express Tribune.
Residents pointed out that the lack of teachers and the poor condition of the school building highlight the neglect by the education department and related authorities. Locals shared that children are compelled to travel to distant areas to pursue their education due to the school's closure.
Despite government announcements aimed at enhancing education and hiring teachers, schools in rural regions continue to remain shuttered, indicating a lack of administrative efficiency and negligence from officials. The Express Tribune also reported that local citizens are calling on authorities to take prompt action to reopen the school, renovate the building, and assign teachers.
Recently, a government report disclosed that 26.2 million children in Pakistan are still without schooling.
The Federal Ministry of Education and Professional Training released the 'Girls’ Education Statistics and Trends Report 2023-24', revealing the alarming number of children out of school, as reported by the leading daily Dawn.
According to this report, 26.2 million children remain without education, including 3.4 million girls. It also highlighted the financial constraints affecting education in Pakistan, with national education funding dropping from 13 percent to 11 percent and significant decreases in funding from several provinces, particularly Punjab and Sindh.
The report indicated that only 19 percent of schools are equipped with digital tools, while 23 percent have ramps for students with disabilities. However, many schools lack adequate specialized learning materials, as per Dawn's findings.
During the report's launch, Pakistan's Federal Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui stated that the primary school completion rate for girls has improved from 75 percent to 89 percent.
Point of View
Especially in rural areas where access is critically limited.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the primary school in Sheikh Qarehio Bhandari village been closed?
The primary school has been closed for five years, primarily due to the absence of teachers and a lack of maintenance, leading to a dilapidated building.
How many children in Pakistan are out of school?
According to a recent report, approximately 26.2 million children in Pakistan remain out of school, including 3.4 million girls.
What actions are residents calling for regarding the school?
Local residents are urging authorities to take immediate measures to restore the school, repair its building, and appoint teachers.
What does the government report say about education funding?
The report indicates that national education funding has decreased from 13 percent to 11 percent, affecting educational resources in various provinces.
What improvements have been noted in girls' education in Pakistan?
The primary school completion rate for girls has risen from 75 percent to 89 percent, according to the Federal Minister's statements during the report launch.
