75 percent of Paktia schools without buildings

GARDEZ (Pajhwok) Seventy-five percent of schools in southeastern Paktia province lack of their own buildings , local officials and residents say.

There are total of 396 schools in the province, but 250 of them are without buildings, according to the provincial Education Department.

Governor Shamim Khan Katawazai told Pajhwok Afghan News that around 40 schools would get buildings this year in the province.

“Safe environment would be a real education year for Paktia as about 40 schools would get buildings under the president’s supervision,” Katawazai said.

Paktia Education Firector Kuchi Zazai told Pajhwok Afghan News that shool building was essential for a healthy educational environment and in their absence the education process could not goo smoothly.

He termed the proposed construction of buildings for 40 schools in Paktia this new year as a huge progress, but said assistance from donor agencies, international community and countries remained crucial for development of the vital sector.

 “Currently 75 percent of schools are without buildings, it is a major problems, even we lack textbooks,” the education director lamented.

He hoped books would be printed and would be received soon in order to prevent students’ time from being wasted.

Noorullah, a resident of Tairai area of Gardez City, the provincial capital,  and a student, said they studied amid dusty winds and under hot and cold weather conditions under the open skies.

Zabihulla, a resident of Syed Karam district, said many families used to stop sending their daughters to school beyond grade four or five due to lack of boundary walls in schools.

He said: “It is very difficult to attend lessons in the open and endure dusty winds and rains. Girls should study in a safe place.”

Education official for Zurmat district, Abdurl Rashid Usmani, also expressed concern about problems being faced by students in the absence of school buildings particularly girl students.

He confirmed some female students had stopped going to schools after grade four and five due to lack of school buildings.

Based on the education department information, currently about 200,000 students, including 63,000 girls, are studying in Paktia and they are thought by 5,000 teachers.

sa/ma

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