Afternoon classes in government schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa face potential suspension as teachers halt their services due to unpaid salaries.
The provincial education department initiated second-shift classes in September 2021 to expand access to education and curtail student dropouts. Schools with over 60% enrollment were included in this second shift initiative, which currently serves between 80,000 and 100,000 students.
The prior education minister, Shahram Khan Tarakai, had expressed that this program also aimed to accommodate children unable to attend school during regular hours for various reasons.
In January 2023, however, this program was partially halted as the preceding government ended the afternoon classes in 167 schools of various levels across different districts. They further instructed relevant education officers to refrain from salary requests.
The KP Education Department’s data indicates an estimated 3.2 million children in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and tribal regions are not in school. The dropout rate is particularly high amongst girls in tribal areas, with a shocking 97% leaving school at the primary level. The main contributing factor to this trend is the reluctance to permit girls to attend schools in remote regions.
Sources reveal that approximately 8,000 teachers associated with the second-shift initiative have not received salaries for the past four months.
When questioned, the additional education secretary ensured necessary funds were disbursed, and the pending salaries would be provided shortly. He stated that Rs3.3 million had been allocated to the deputy commissioners and district education officers. He added that they would investigate why the salaries have not been disbursed.
