MOHMAND: Participants of a youth conference here on Monday called for the declaration of an education emergency, expressing concern over the growing number of out-of-school children and the deteriorating state of educational infrastructure in the district.

The event, titled Education for All, was organised by the Mohmand Students Union in collaboration with the District Youth Office at the Jawan Markaz, located in Captain Roohullah Shaheed Sports Stadium, Ghalanai.

Representatives of the Awami National Party, Mohmand Political Alliance, National Commission for Human Development, Insaf Youth Wing, Sahar Welfare Organisation, Karwan-i-Rehman, Mohmand Press Club, Tehreek-i-Tahaffuz Huqooq Mohmand, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl, Pakistan Peoples Party and others attended the event.

The speakers complained Mohmand faced a severe education crisis with around 115,000 children currently out of school in the district.

Participants of youth conference call for education emergency

They noted that although authorities had set a target of enrolling 22,000 children during the ongoing admission campaign, only 360 had so far been enrolled.

The speakers described the situation as alarming and warned that the district’s future could be jeopardised if urgent corrective measures were not taken.

They observed that despite being one of the province’s richest districts in terms of mineral resources, Mohmand continued to lag behind in education and human development.

They said many areas remained deprived of middle, high and higher secondary schools, while numerous educational institutions lacked basic facilities, including classrooms, furniture, laboratories, libraries, electricity and clean drinking water.

The speakers also highlighted a severe shortage of teaching staff, claiming that the district was facing a deficit of around 500 male and 450 female teachers, which was adversely affecting the quality of education.

They criticised elected representatives and relevant government departments for paying “inadequate attention” to the education sector.

The speakers urged authorities to prioritise educational development and ensure equitable access to quality education, particularly in remote and underdeveloped areas.

They voiced concerns over the limited contribution of mining leaseholders and contractors towards social development despite earning substantial revenues from the district’s natural resources and development projects.

The speakers claimed that hundreds of mining operators and contractors were generating billions of rupees through mineral extraction and construction activities in Mohmand but were contributing little through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

They demanded the establishment of a transparent mechanism to ensure that a significant portion of funds are invested in education, healthcare, environmental protection and community welfare projects.

A joint declaration, adopted at the conference, called for the construction of new schools and colleges, rehabilitation of damaged and non-functional educational institutions, recruitment of teachers on merit, promotion of girls’ education and provision of modern educational facilities, including computer laboratories, science labs, libraries, internet connectivity and solar energy systems.

It urged the government to establish high and higher secondary schools in underserved tehsils, operationalise the proposed KMU campus in Mohmand, launch digital skills and information technology programmes for youth, provide scholarships and financial assistance to deserving students and expedite the reconstruction of Lakaro Degree College.

The participants demanded a comprehensive strategy to bring out-of-school children back to classrooms and called for the active involvement of youth, student organisations and civil society in educational planning and policymaking.

They vowed to promote education, social awareness, peace and unity in the district.

The participants said that investment in education was essential for ensuring sustainable development, economic progress and long-term stability in Mohmand.

“Education is not a privilege but a fundamental right of every child. A prosperous and peaceful future for Mohmand depended on collective efforts to improve educational opportunities for the younger generation,” the declaration declared.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2026