Punjab Floods Destroy 3,000 Schools, Thousands of Students Displaced

Punjab’s Minister for School Education, Rana Sikandar Hayat, has revealed that the recent floods across the province have wiped out nearly 3,000 schools, leaving thousands of children without classrooms. The devastation has forced the government to adopt emergency measures to ensure education continues despite the widespread destruction.

Minister’s Briefing on the Crisis

During a meeting with UNICEF’s Pakistan Representative, Pernille Ironside, Rana Sikandar Hayat shared a grim update on the scale of destruction. He explained that Punjab’s education sector was already struggling with resource shortages, and now the collapse of thousands of schools has turned into an unprecedented challenge.

“Rehabilitating these institutions has become our foremost challenge,” the minister noted, adding that the education department is working tirelessly to provide temporary alternatives.

According to Hayat, many of the damaged schools remain submerged, while others have collapsed completely, displacing thousands of enrolled students.

Temporary Measures to Continue Education

In order to avoid disruption in academic schedules, the Punjab government has introduced three-shift schooling in functional institutions. This arrangement allows displaced students to continue their studies in the available facilities, though overcrowding has become a serious concern.

Additionally, the government plans to rent private buildings and set up tent schools in flood-affected districts. Hayat further announced that all students from the impacted areas will be exempted from semester fees and will also receive special scholarships to ease the burden on their families.

The minister estimated that reconstruction of schools could take up to three months, depending on the pace of water drainage and the availability of funds.

Flood Devastation in Southern Punjab

While education remains a major concern, the floods have caused widespread destruction in several parts of southern Punjab. Breaches at the Noraja Bhutta embankment of the Sutlej River have inundated entire villages in Multan, Lodhran, and Bahawalpur.

For more than a week, stagnant water measuring eight to ten feet deep has surrounded local settlements. The affected villages include Noraja Bhutta, Kotla Chakar, Bahadurpur, Deepal, and Dunyapur, where residents are struggling to survive amid deteriorating conditions.

Villagers Face Humanitarian Crisis

Residents report that nearly 70 percent of houses have already collapsed, while the remaining structures are at high risk if the water does not recede soon.

“If the water doesn’t drain, the rest will fall too,” said Altaf Lang, a villager. “Diseases are spreading as the water changes colour. This is turning into a health emergency.”

The stagnant water has also disrupted access to clean drinking supplies and essential healthcare, raising fears of an outbreak of waterborne illnesses.

Blame on Infrastructure

Local communities have expressed frustration at the nearby motorway’s drainage system, which they believe is worsening the flood’s impact. Villagers argue that the motorway’s limited culverts act more like barriers than drainage channels, preventing the floodwater from escaping.

Some villagers have even demanded that portions of the motorway be breached to release the water.

However, National Highway Authority (NHA) General Manager Kashif Nawaz rejected this proposal. He insisted that water was flowing through the culverts and assured that protective measures, such as placing stones around weak points, were being taken to safeguard the motorway without blocking drainage routes.

Government and UNICEF Cooperation

During his meeting with UNICEF’s representative, the Punjab education minister emphasized the importance of international cooperation in rehabilitating the education sector. UNICEF has assured the government of its support in providing emergency schooling solutions, especially for children at risk of losing an entire academic year due to the floods.

Pernille Ironside also highlighted UNICEF’s commitment to working with the Punjab government in restoring schools, training teachers for emergency learning environments, and providing essential supplies for displaced students.

Long-Term Challenges

Although the government has announced short-term solutions, experts warn that the scale of destruction demands long-term planning and massive investments. Reconstruction of thousands of schools, rehabilitation of affected villages, and restoration of infrastructure will require both provincial and federal support along with international aid.

Educationists are concerned that if schools are not rebuilt quickly, dropout rates could rise sharply, especially in rural areas where families may prioritize labor over education in the face of financial hardships.

Call for Swift Action

The floods in Punjab have once again highlighted the province’s vulnerability to natural disasters and the urgent need for better planning. Civil society groups are urging the government to speed up relief operations, drain stagnant water, and prioritize children’s education in disaster recovery plans.

With nearly 3,000 schools destroyed, tens of thousands of children displaced, and villages submerged under eight to ten feet of water, Punjab faces one of its toughest educational and humanitarian crises in years. The government’s efforts to provide temporary schooling, scholarships, and health relief are a step forward, but rebuilding lives and institutions will take months—if not years.