The crisis of teacher shortages in government schools across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continues, with a total shortfall of 15,684 teachers revealed despite the adjustment of surplus staff across the province.
According to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Education Monitoring Authority’s 2026 report, which details teacher postings, transfers, new recruitments, and student-to-teacher ratios, boys’ schools are facing a shortage of 10,727 teachers, while girls’ institutions are short of 4,957 teachers.
The report states that boys’ schools have a gross shortage of 13,508 teachers and a surplus of 2,870, leaving a net deficit of 10,727. Similarly, girls’ schools recorded a gross shortage of 7,911 teachers with 3,284 in surplus, leaving a net shortage of 4,957.
The document notes that student enrollment has become the main criterion for teacher postings. The approved ratio is: 2 teachers for up to 59 students, 3 for 60-99 students, 4 for 100 students, and 5 for 140 students, with one additional teacher for every further 40 students. The report highlights that enrollment in girls’ schools has increased more sharply than in boys’ schools. Girls’ admissions rose by 26.2%, while boys’ admissions increased by 16.2%, putting additional pressure on girls’ schools to hire more teachers.
Currently, 45.1% of boys’ schools and 41.6% of girls’ schools in the province are facing teacher shortages. From March 2026, a total of 9,198 teachers were transferred across the province, including 6,459 male and 2,739 female teachers. Additionally, 5,683 teachers were recruited in primary schools through Parent Teacher Councils, comprising 2,088 male and 3,595 female teachers.
The report emphasizes the need to continue transfers and recruitments to balance teacher availability with student numbers and address the growing gap, particularly in girls’ schools.
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