No school open in Taliban-held Baghran district

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): The governor of southern Helmand province on Wednesday said the Taliban had closed tens of schools in the Baghran district.

Hayatullah Hayat, inaugurating the new academic year at a gathering in Lashkargah, the provincial capital, struck a gas cylinder instead of a traditional metal to perform ringing of the bell.

Hayat said thousands of children had been deprived of education by the closure of their schools in Baghran district.

He added most of the closed schools were situated in areas where the Taliban have strong control.

The governor informed that no school in Baghran district could be reopened because the Taliban’s threat.

“The Taliban have created hurdles for education and they do not allow students to go to schools,” he said.

“From the past 14 years, the Taliban have been in control of the Baghran district,” said Hayatullah, asking the rebels to allow children to continue their education.

Taliban spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi rejected Hayat’s claims and said the Taliban never forced a school to be shut but instead the group assisted the development of education.

Education Director Qudratullah Yaqubi said of the total 403 schools in Helmand, 100 were closed due to security issues.

Mohammad Shafiq, a resident of Musa Qala district who had migrated to Lashkargah, the provincial capital, said he resumed his studies here.

nh/ma