A vibrant handover ceremony at Government Girls Primary School Hazarkhawani in Peshawar marked a pivotal moment for education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. The event celebrated the completion of retrofitting works under the Disaster Resilient School Infrastructure (DRSI) Project, a groundbreaking initiative to fortify schools against the region’s frequent earthquakes and floods. Supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), implemented by UN-Habitat and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and partnered with the KP Elementary and Secondary Education Department, this project is not just about bricks and mortar—it’s about safeguarding dreams, empowering communities, and building a resilient future for over 31,000 students, including 13,000 girls.
The DRSI Project:
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, nestled in Pakistan’s rugged northwest, is no stranger to natural disasters. Earthquakes, like the devastating 2005 Kashmir quake that killed over 80,000, and recurring floods—exacerbated by climate change—have repeatedly exposed the fragility of school infrastructure. Collapsing buildings and disrupted classes threaten not just safety but also access to education, particularly for girls, who face cultural and logistical barriers in KP’s conservative districts.
Enter the DRSI Project, launched to address these vulnerabilities. Spanning eight disaster-prone districts—Buner, Malakand, Peshawar, Swat, Lower Chitral, Upper Chitral, Lower Dir, and Upper Dir—it has retrofitted 150 schools to meet stringent structural safety standards. Over 1,200 classrooms now withstand seismic and flood risks, while 300 latrines and water points ensure hygiene and accessibility. The project preserves traditional stone masonry, blending cultural heritage with modern engineering, as highlighted by UN-Habitat’s Deputy Programme Manager Hamid Mumtaz during the Hazarkhawani ceremony.
JICA’s Abrar Khan emphasized the inclusion of WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) facilities, critical for girls’ attendance, which drops sharply without proper infrastructure. UNDP’s Hisashi Izumi framed it as “restoring hope,” noting that these schools are safe havens for learning and community growth. Local leader Fazal e Ilahi, MPA-KP, called the retrofitted schools “models of resilience,” urging sustained investment.
From Classrooms to Communities
The DRSI Project’s ripple effects extend far beyond structural upgrades, touching lives and systems in profound ways:
Educational Access and Equity
By fortifying schools, DRSI ensures uninterrupted learning for 31,000 students, with a focus on girls, who make up 42% of beneficiaries. In KP, where female literacy hovers around 35% (compared to 60% for males, per UNESCO 2024 data), safe schools reduce dropout rates linked to disaster disruptions and inadequate facilities. Improved WASH facilities address cultural stigmas around menstruation, a key barrier to girls’ education, boosting attendance by up to 20% in similar programs.
Community Resilience and Economic Benefits
Retrofitted schools double as emergency shelters during floods or quakes, protecting communities where 70% of KP’s population faces disaster risks annually, per Pakistan’s NDMA 2025 report. The project trained local masons and teachers, creating jobs and building capacity—UN-Habitat’s stakeholder workshops reached 500+ community members. Economically, resilient schools reduce reconstruction costs, which soared to $1.5 billion after KP’s 2022 floods.
Alignment with Global Goals
The initiative advances the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, which Pakistan endorsed in 2015, aiming to reduce disaster losses by 2030. It also supports Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) for inclusive, equitable education. Dr. Ruksana Farooq, KP’s Senior Planning Officer, noted that these schools are a “tangible step” toward SDG 4 but warned that only 10% of KP’s 28,000 schools are currently disaster-resilient, underscoring funding gaps.
Climate and Gender Synergies
With climate change intensifying floods (Pakistan saw 1,200 deaths in 2022 floods), retrofitting aligns with climate adaptation strategies. Gender equity is central—safe schools empower girls, reducing child marriage rates (15% in KP, per UNICEF 2025) by keeping them in education.
The Future:
While the DRSI Project sets a gold standard, its scope—150 schools—covers a fraction of KP’s needs. Pakistan has 230,000 schools, with 60% lacking basic disaster resilience, per a 2025 World Bank assessment. Scaling up faces hurdles:
- Funding Shortfalls: Retrofitting one school costs $50,000-$100,000. With Pakistan’s education budget at 2.3% of GDP (below UNESCO’s 4% recommendation), international donors like JICA are critical. Posts on X highlight public frustration over slow progress, urging more global aid.
- Political and Security Risks: KP’s proximity to Afghanistan and ongoing militancy (e.g., TTP attacks rose 30% in 2025) complicates construction logistics.
- Climate Pressures: With floods projected to worsen by 2030, per IPCC 2025, retrofitting must accelerate to outpace climate risks.
Yet, opportunities abound. Expanding DRSI to other provinces like Balochistan, hit hard by 2024 floods, could protect millions more. Public-private partnerships, as piloted in Punjab, could bridge funding gaps. Integrating tech—like AI-based seismic monitoring trialed in Japan—could enhance early warning systems for schools.
A Beacon of Hope in Crisis
The DRSI Project’s success at Hazarkhawani is a testament to what collaboration—between JICA, UNDP, UN-Habitat, and KP’s government—can achieve. It’s a lifeline for 31,000 students and a blueprint for disaster-prone regions worldwide. But as Dr. Farooq warned, “the scale of need remains far greater.” Scaling this model requires bold investment, political will, and global solidarity. For Pakistan’s children, resilient schools are more than buildings—they’re gateways to a safer, brighter future. Keywords: KP disaster-resilient schools 2025, JICA Pakistan education project, UN-Habitat UNDP school retrofitting, climate-resilient education Pakistan.
