ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – Pakistan’s public education system continues to grapple with serious infrastructure deficiencies, as the Economic Survey 2025-26 paints a troubling picture of the conditions in government schools across the country.
The survey highlights that a significant number of schools still operate without access to basic facilities considered essential for a safe and effective learning environment. Despite repeated pledges to improve educational standards, progress in upgrading school infrastructure appears to have remained slow.
One of the most pressing concerns identified in the report is the lack of electricity. According to the survey, 35 per cent of public schools do not have electricity, meaning only 65 per cent are connected to power supplies. The availability of electricity has, in fact, declined by two percentage points compared to the previous fiscal year.
The situation is particularly alarming in less developed regions. In Balochistan, only 21 per cent of government schools have access to electricity, while the figure stands at 32 per cent in Sindh, highlighting stark regional disparities in educational facilities.
Sanitation facilities also remain inadequate. The survey found that 23 per cent of public schools lack toilets, indicating a deterioration from the previous year’s position. Limited access to proper sanitation not only affects students’ health and dignity but can also contribute to lower attendance rates, particularly among girls.
Balochistan emerged as the worst-performing province in this regard, with toilet facilities available in only a small proportion of government schools, reflecting deep-rooted shortcomings in the provision of basic amenities.
The report further revealed that access to clean drinking water has shown little improvement. While 76 per cent of public schools have drinking water facilities, nearly one in four schools continues to function without reliable access to safe water.
School security and physical infrastructure have also weakened. According to the survey, 25 per cent of government schools do not have boundary walls, raising concerns about student safety and the protection of school property. The availability of boundary walls declined from 79 per cent last year to 75 per cent during the current fiscal year.
The findings underscore the persistent challenges facing Pakistan’s public education sector and highlight the urgent need for sustained investment in school infrastructure to ensure students can learn in safe, healthy and supportive environments.
