Children Forced to Study Under Open Sky in CM Sohail Afridi’s Native District as School Building Remains Absent

Peshawar: While the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government continues to claim a “state of educational emergency” and promises “education for all,” distressing scenes from Chief Minister Sohail Khan Afridi’s native district of Khyber have raised serious questions over these claims.
In the modern 21st century era of technological advancement, children in District Khyber are reportedly forced to attend classes under the open sky, sitting in dust and scorching heat due to the absence of a proper school building.
A viral video circulating on social media has triggered widespread anger across the province. The footage shows young students sitting in extreme heat without any shelter, visibly struggling in harsh weather conditions.
In the video, the children can be heard making an emotional appeal, stating that sitting under the open sky in intense heat has become unbearable. They urged authorities to construct a proper school building so they can continue their education in a safe environment.
Local residents say the lack of infrastructure is also affecting children’s health, while teachers are facing severe difficulties in conducting classes without proper facilities.

District Khyber, formerly part of the tribal areas, has long suffered from weak educational infrastructure. Although the provincial government had announced billions of rupees for rebuilding schools and colleges in the merged districts, ground realities suggest that much of the funding remains tied to paperwork or has been affected by poor implementation.
The situation has raised serious concerns over the government’s educational policies. Critics argue that if even basic schooling facilities cannot be provided in the Chief Minister’s own constituency, the condition of remote areas can only be imagined.
The viral video has further highlighted the gap between government claims and ground realities, showing how digital media is increasingly holding authorities accountable.
Experts warn that extreme weather conditions and lack of infrastructure are contributing to higher dropout rates, turning the slogan of “education for all” into a mere political statement rather than a practical reality.