Just 2 Paktika girls sit university entrance test

SHARANA (Pajhwok): Due to security threats and negative customs, only two female high school graduates on Thursday sat the university entrance exam in southeastern Paktika province.

The two girls were among 887 candidates who took the exam in Sharana, the capital of Paktika province.

Prof. Abdul Shakoor, an exam invigilator from capital Kabul, told Pajhwok Afghan News this year’s exam was more transparent than previous years due to biometric registration of students.

“No one is allowed to interfere in this process, references are unacceptable,” he said.

Deputy Paktika governor Attaullah Fazli also said no one was allowed to interfere in the exam.

He added 887 boys and two girls took part in this year’s entry test in the province.

Provincial education officials said 50 girls graduated from high schools last year.

Marwa, one of the two girls who attended the exam, told Pajhwok that 50 girls had graduated last year but they could not take part in the test due to cultural restrictions, insecurity and family problems.

Paktika University Chancellor Daryar Khan Hasand said the university had the capacity to enroll 1,000 more students this year.

Paktika University has two faculties education and agriculture where 1,300 students are studying right now.

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