Girls’ education in Landi Kotal tehsil of Khyber district is facing a severe crisis, as 23 government-run girls' primary schools remain closed simply because there are no female teachers available. Many schools are locked, and students return home disappointed every day.
According to sources, the closed schools include eight in Loye Shalman, six in Kam Shalman, five in Landi Kotal, and four in Bazaar Zakha Khel.
The lack of teachers has left the school buildings deserted, with young girls like Malalai from Govt Girls Primary School Paseed Khel, who dreams of becoming a doctor, saying, “I carry my books every day, but the school is locked. It feels like my dream is locked too.”
The Assistant Sub-Divisional Officer (ASDO) Education in Landi Kotal explained that most of the appointed female teachers are from other districts and are not reporting for duty. Meanwhile, the number of local qualified women is extremely limited.
He said a recommendation has been made to the Education Department to relax ETA test requirements for candidates from tribal districts to enable recruitment of local women.
In the past, temporary female teachers were hired through PTC funds, but those funds have now been discontinued.
The ASDO has urged elected representatives to raise the issue in the provincial assembly and request the Education Minister to provide incentives to female teachers in Landi Kotal and allow matric-pass local women to volunteer for teaching.
Parents are growing increasingly concerned as their daughters’ interest in education wanes due to repeated school closures.
Civil society groups have also demanded urgent government intervention, warning that failure to address the issue will deprive the girls of Landi Kotal of both education and a brighter future.
