The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has announced a substantial allocation of Rs. 364 billion for the education sector in the fiscal year 2025–26, focusing on enhancing infrastructure, integrating technology in classrooms, and increasing access through a blended public-private model. Education Minister Faisal Tarakai shared details of the reform package at a press briefing, outlining a roadmap that blends traditional learning support with digital transformation.
A major part of the reform includes handing over 1,500 existing government schools to the private sector through a public-private partnership model to improve management and learning outcomes. Simultaneously, 200 new schools will be established under the Elementary Education Foundation to address gaps in underserved areas and expand the province’s educational footprint.
Technology integration has been prioritized through the development of smart classrooms and the provisioning of digital infrastructure. Rs. 1.2 billion has been allocated for equipping high and higher secondary schools with computer labs and internet connectivity, aimed at bridging the digital divide in public education. Minister Tarakai said this would ensure that students across the province, including in rural and remote areas, can benefit from digital learning resources.
Special attention is being given to the merged districts where basic school infrastructure remains insufficient. To address this, the government plans to build 500 new classrooms in primary schools to ensure sufficient space and quality learning environments. Every enrolled primary-level student will receive free textbooks, school bags, and stationery, with additional educational support through the education card scheme to reduce financial barriers.
The budget also includes financing for 29 new education development projects and dedicated funding for the restoration of 10 historic schools. By the end of the year, all schools in the province will be equipped with proper furniture, ensuring students have adequate learning environments across all grades.
Monitoring and accountability mechanisms are showing measurable results, with a reported 6 percent increase in teacher attendance. Minister Tarakai attributed this improvement to enhanced school monitoring systems and committed to further progress through data-driven education governance. He also emphasized that efforts to bring out-of-school children into the formal education system will continue as a core part of the education outreach program throughout the year.
The minister reiterated the provincial government’s objective of providing quality education to every child in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and stressed that expanding access to education and improving the learning experience through modern tools are central to that goal. The focus on smart classrooms and internet access aligns with broader efforts to digitally enable the education system in line with the province’s digitization roadmap.
