35,000 students to be enrolled in Khost this year

KHOST CITY (Pajhwok): Thirty-five thousand new students will be enrolled in schools across southeastern Khost province this year, an official said on Sunday.

Education Director Naseer Ahmad Roshan, addressing a gathering marking the beginning of the New Year, pledged the construction of buildings for 100 new schools in the province.

He said essential facilities would be provided to improve girls’ education in the province, including the appointment of three new teachers in every district.

“My Department remains committed to monitoring the education process in Khost and paying attention to all factors that could play a positive role in improving the quality of learning,” said Roshan.

Governor Mohammad Haleem Fedae said he would strive to protect the education sector from political interference.

“I want education officials to tell me about political leaders who pressure them in an unfair manner. I will stop them -- whatever their position or status -- from middling in education affairs,” promised Fedae.

He also vowed to address the problems of teachers and increase coordination between private and public schools so as to strengthen the education department.

In Khost, 360 government and 115 private schools are operational, with 350,000 students, 40 percent of them girls, studying there.

nh/mud