It’s not the rain, it’s Karachi’s crumbling infrastructure that threatens youth’s intellectual growth

Due to the crumbling infrastructure, many parents now show reluctance to send their children to schools or coaching centers, fearing for their safety during rains.

The government’s frequent announcements of school closures during monsoon spells may provide short-term relief, but parents argue officials fail to realize the long-term educational cost of such decisions.

Flooded streets, frequent electrocutions, and children trapped in unsafe commutes have become the new normal for the city that contributes nearly 60 percent of Pakistan’s exports and pays an estimated PKR 20 billion in taxes per day.

During the last monsoon spell, morning-shift students reached home late at night after hours stranded on inundated roads. Some schools tried to shift to online classes, but most parents said they lacked laptops or internet access due to low household incomes. Frequent internet disruptions have further made online education nearly impossible, leaving students disconnected and frustrated.

“This is not climate change — it’s the pathetic negligence of the government that has failed to care for Karachiites,” said one parent, frustrated with the city’s recurring chaos.

Another parent called the situation “alarming,” warning that prolonged Disruption in education will push Karachi’s youth backward. “If this continues, the doors of prosperity will shut for our children,” the parent said.

Despite being the country’s economic engine, Karachi’s decaying infrastructure has left its students vulnerable, with parents fearing the rainy season as much as their children fear exams.