Taliban agree to reopening closed schools in Helmand

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): A non-government organization affiliated with the Education militants on solution to education-related problems.

Some officials of the NGO have posted photographs of the 10-point agreement and the signing ceremony on their Facebook accounts.

Both the sides have signed the agreement and the signing ceremony was attended by Taliban representatives, education officials and members of the NGO.

The text read “ representatives of education department contacted the Taliban about two weeks ago and next day time and venue for a meeting was decided.

In the agreement, the two sides have agreed with protection of madaris, schools and all buildings, reopening of closed schools and madaris.

They held out assurances of complete cooperation for joint monitoring, permission for development projects, release of all usurped education department property and handing them over to the education ministry, secure transfer of curriculum books and other education ministry materials and other items.

Education Department head, who is currently in Kabul, said he was unaware about the development.

Governor spokesman Omar Zwak said they had not been asked about the agreement.

Hayatullah Mayar, secretary of the Provincial Council, said the agreement was beneficial and would help reopen many closed schools in far-flung areas.

He said the agreement had been inked between the NGO and the Taliban and no one from the education department had signed it.

The Taliban have not spoken to the media about the agreement in Helmand where a total of 400 schools exist, but some 100 are currently closed.

nh/ma

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