Helmand: Residents of remote areas demand schools

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Residents of remote districts of southern Helmand province say a handful of schools in their areas lack buildings.

Sangin and Washer are among the Helmand districts that have a limited number of schools. Most of the schools there have no buildings and other facilities.

Residents of these districts say their children are studying in an unfavourable environment. They do not have the required facilities.

Abdul Qadir, a resident of Sangin district, told Pajhwok Afghan News the district had been deprived of development and basic services in the education sector.

He said there were only a handful of schools that did not have proper buildings. As a result, their children have to study under the open sky in this cold winter, causing them health issues.

According to him, now that fighting has stopped, the government should not only construct buildings for the existing schools in their areas, but should also establish more.

Inhabitants of Washer district also complain of similar problems. One of them, Nazar Mohammad, told Pajhwok schools without buildings and professional teachers remained empty. Student have no textbooks.

He also called on the government to construct school buildings in their areas and provide education facilities to children.

Director of Education Maulvi Abdul Bari Shahab said the Islamic Emirate had plans to build construct buildings and establish new schools in Helmand.

“In this regard, we have already talked the relevant ministry and some donor agencies. They have promised to help us,” the official added.

He hoped not only buildings would be constructed for existing schools in the province, but new schools would also be established in areas without such facilities.

Shahab informed they would launch work on the rest of the school buildings that were left incomplete by the previous government.

sa/mud

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