More than one in four schools in the region of Pakistan affected by floods has been destroyed or damaged, according to figures released by charity Save the Children.

All schools in flood-affected areas in the north-west of the country have been closed until at least the middle of this month as communities try to cope with the disaster’s aftermath.

The UN has reported that the flooding has affected 6 million people and left at least 1,600 dead. There are fears that the death toll could rise significantly.

Agencies delivering humanitarian aid to the region will attempt to restore the education system, according to Save the Children.

Deborah Haines, a former London primary school teacher who is now the charity’s global adviser for education in emergencies, said: “Education has been given its rightful place in this emergency. Four to five years ago it was not part of the humanitarian response.”

An assessment team from the charity surveyed 80 communities affected by the flooding.

“It reported that more than 25 per cent of schools have been damaged - 3 per cent were swept away or completely destroyed,” a spokesman said.

Save the Children’s education emergency response team provides training, resources and child-friendly spaces in countries affected by disasters.