Schools in Andar, Deh Yak districts yet to reopen

GHAZNI CITY (PAN): Students and teachers on Saturday said schools in two districts of southern Ghazni province were still closed.

Taliban closed schools in Andar and Deh Yak districts as well as in Ghazni City, asking the government to lift a ban on motorbike ride that was imposed 45 days back. But schools in the provincial capital recently reopened.

“My sons are yet to go to school. The Afghan government hasn’t taken a single step to resolve the issue,” complained Jan Mohammad, a resident of Deh Yak.

A large number of students ran the risk of losing one full academic year, he warned. Although he issue had been discussed with education officials many times, nothing had so far been done, he claimed.

In neighbouring Andar district, students said, schools were still closed.  “Youth are either going to foreign countries or joining private security companies to escort logistic convoys for NATO-led soldiers,” Rahmatullah, a resident of Andar, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Head of high peace council in Ghazni, Fazal Ahmad, said they were making efforts to reopen the schools, no breakthough had been possible so far.

The question had been discussed with tribal elders, who had promised to play their role in reopening the schools, he added.

As education officials in Ghazni City could not be reached for comment, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said they had not closed the schools. He insisted teachers had shut the schools in protest against the ban on motorbike ride.

About 65 schools have been closed in the two districts. Some schools in neighbouring Maidan Wardak province have also received threats.

frm/mud

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