Unlink headers and footers of each section (as has already been suggested). For each section, set page numbering to restart from 1.

In the section 1 header or footer, insert a SET field as follows:

{ SET section1count { SECTIONPAGES } }

In section 2, insert the corresponding field construct:

{ SET section2count { SECTIONPAGES } }

And similarly for each subsequent section. Use Ctrl+F9 to insert each pair of field delimiters, { }, and type the code as shown. Press F9 to update. Alt+F9 shows/hides field codes.

To calculate total page numbers in each section, you'll need fields as follows:

Section 1: { PAGE } of { NUMPAGES }

Section 2: { = { PAGE } + { section1count } } of { NUMPAGES }

Section 3: { = { PAGE } + { section1count } + { section2count } } of { NUMPAGES }

If the number of pages changes, you can update the fields by switching to Print Preview and then back to your current view (Ctrl+F2 followed by ESC).

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional