ABBOTTABAD, May 2, 2025 — A wave of frustration among parents, students, and community members erupted into a protest outside the Abbottabad Press Club on Thursday, as they raised alarm over the critical shortage of teachers at the Government Girls High School in Union Council (UC) Jarral.
The school, which caters to 160 female students, currently has only four teachers—leaving classrooms overcrowded and education standards severely compromised. Protesters warned that unless immediate steps are taken, students’ futures could be jeopardized.
Leading the protest were former Nazim Haji Ali Haider, ex-Councillor Abdul Kareem, and Advocate Safdar Tanoli. The speakers condemned the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Education Department for failing to address the issue, despite repeated pleas from the local community. They warned that if authorities continued to ignore the matter, more drastic actions would follow, including road blockades along the Silk Route and even symbolic school closures.
Protesters urged the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Education Minister, the Commissioner of Hazara Division, and local education officers to step in and resolve the staffing crisis without delay. They stressed that the current situation not only undermines students’ learning but also reflects deeper negligence in rural education planning.
This incident reflects a wider issue across remote regions of Pakistan, where government schools often struggle with staff shortages, underfunding, and lack of proper facilities. The residents of UC Jarral are now demanding sustainable educational reforms to ensure their children aren’t left behind.
