The indicator “Number of Schools Approachable by All-Weather Roads” is a critical measure of physical access to education and the reliability of school infrastructure. All-weather road connectivity ensures that students, teachers, and staff can reach schools safely and consistently throughout the year, regardless of seasonal conditions such as heavy rainfall, flooding, or extreme weather. Reliable road access directly influences student attendance, punctuality, and retention, particularly in rural, remote, hilly, and disaster-prone regions. When schools are not connected by all-weather roads, children may miss classes for extended periods, increasing the risk of learning loss and dropout. Teachers may also face challenges in regular commuting, affecting instructional continuity and school functioning.

Beyond daily access, road connectivity enables the timely delivery of essential services such as mid-day meals, textbooks, teaching materials, health services, and infrastructure maintenance. It also supports emergency response, school inspections, monitoring, and community engagement. For girls and younger children, safe and dependable access routes are especially important in addressing safety concerns and encouraging enrolment. At a policy and planning level, this indicator helps identify infrastructure gaps and regional disparities in school accessibility. Tracking schools approachable by all-weather roads supports evidence-based investment in transport and education infrastructure, ensuring equitable access to schooling and uninterrupted learning for all students.