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14,000+ Sindh Schools Still Damaged From 2022 Pakistan Floods

Over 14,000 schools damaged in the catastrophic 2022 floods in Pakistan's Sindh province are still awaiting reconstruction, leaving educational facilities for 1.4 million students in disrepair. The provincial government reviewed division and district-level data, with Hyderabad and Khairpur being among the worst-affected areas. This crisis compounds a national education emergency, where a recent government report reveals 26.2 million children are out of school. Furthermore, education financing has weakened across Pakistan, with provinces like Sindh and Punjab reducing their funding shares.

Key Points: 14,343 Sindh Schools Await Post-Flood Reconstruction

  • 14,343 schools await restoration
  • 1.4 million students impacted
  • Rs 167 billion reconstruction cost
  • 26.2 million children out of school nationwide
  • Education funding share reduced
2 min read

Over 14,000 schools damaged in 2022 floods in Pakistan's Sindh still await reconstruction

Over 14,000 schools in Pakistan's Sindh province remain damaged from 2022 floods, impacting 1.4 million students as reconstruction lags.

"26.2 million children in Pakistan still remain out of school - Girls' Education Statistics and Trends Report"

Islamabad, March 24

Pakistan continues to grapple with the aftermath of the 2022 floods, with 14,343 schools out of over 19,500 schools damaged across Sindh still awaiting restoration, according to local media reports.

During a review meeting on school reconstruction and rehabilitation with Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah informed that 19,808 schools across Sindh were damaged during the 2022 floods.

Among the affected institutions, 5,465 schools have been selected for reconstruction and rehabilitation -- 2,268 fully damaged and 3,197 partially damaged institutions -- leaving 14,343 schools still awaiting restoration, the Pakistani daily Dawn reported.

The CM stated that reconstruction efforts under multi-funded programmes aimed at restoring educational facilities for 1.4 million students.

Citing official data, Dawn reported major reconstruction schemes covering 5,369 schools cost Pakistani Rs 167 billion, of which Rs 63.95 billion has already been spent, while 2,114 schools have been completed through various funding arrangements.

As Murad reviewed division-wise data on flood-damaged schools, he was also informed that Hyderabad Division recorded the highest number of affected institutions with 1,254 schools, followed by Larkana Division with 1,218, Sukkur Division with 1,070, Shaheed Benazirabad Division with 894, Mirpurkhas Division with 724 and Karachi Division with 305.

At the district level, Khairpur was the worst affected with 730 schools, followed by Naushehro Feroze with 494, Larkana with 343, Kambar-Shahdadkot with 294, Mirpurkhas with 277, and Umerkot with 238.

Last month, a government report revealed that 26.2 million children in Pakistan still remain out of school.

Pakistan's Federal Ministry of Education and Professional Training released the 'Girls' Education Statistics and Trends Report 2023-24', which revealed the number of children who remain out of school, Dawn had reported.

According to the report, 26.2 million children remain out of school, including 3.4 million girls. The report also revealed the funding issues, stressing that Pakistan's education financing had weakened, with the national education share reducing from 13 per cent to 11 per cent and the majority of provinces reducing funding, especially Punjab and Sindh.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The scale is staggering. 1.4 million students affected. The report mentions funding issues, which is often the core problem. It's not just about rebuilding walls, it's about securing a future for an entire generation. International aid must be properly channeled for this.
P
Priya S
The data is shocking but not surprising. 26.2 million children out of school in total? That's a national crisis. When schools are destroyed, girls are often the first to be pulled out permanently. The 3.4 million girls mentioned are a tragic statistic. Education should be the top priority, always.
R
Rohit P
Rs 167 billion for reconstruction... that's a massive amount. One has to ask where the money is going if only 2,114 schools are completed. There needs to be transparency and accountability in these projects. The children can't wait for bureaucratic delays.
M
Michael C
As someone who works in disaster management, this highlights a critical gap in post-disaster recovery planning. Schools should be among the first institutions restored. Temporary learning spaces are a stop-gap, not a solution. The focus needs to shift from just rebuilding to building back better and more resilient.
K
Kavya N
It's been nearly two years! Those children in Khairpur and other worst-hit districts have been studying under trees or not at all. This will have long-term consequences for the entire region's development. So sad.

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