Herat University students concerned as teachers flee abroad

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): After the reopening of public and private universities, students in western Herat province complain of a shortage of professional teachers.

Following the takeover of the incumbent acting government, thousands of qualified people, including university staff, flee to the US and European countries.

The process has created a shortage of qualified lecturers in Afghanistan’s public and private universities.

Ahmad Anwari, a student of Herat University’s Law Faculty, told Pajhwok Afghan News they were facing a shortage of teachers as most of their lecturers had fled the country.

He said yesterday they had only one of four lectures. The absence and shortage of teachers were taking a toll on their studies, he added.

Humaira Anwari, another student, said she was happy over the reopening of universities. But the non-availability of professional teachers was a cause for concern, the student noted.

She explained currently girls were being taught by female teachers while male teachers were teaching boys.

Atifa, a student of literature, said: “There are few professional and experienced male teachers who are teaching boys, not girls.”

Students asked the university administration to ensure that professional and qualified teachers taught both boys and girls.

Meanwhile, some teachers expressed concern over the lack of qualified and professional staff. They said some qualified teachers with rich experience had fled the country.

Mohammad Nasir Moeen, dean of the Economy Faculty, confirmed lecturers, associate professors and professors had fled the country and nobody could take their place in the near future.

He commented: “It is very unfortunate that we have lost some capable lecturers who have fled to foreign countries. It is regrettable.”

Herat University Chancellor Abdul Aziz Nomani also acknowledged most experienced teachers had fled abroad. However, he said, some were planning to return home.

Like their Kabul University counterparts, most of Herat University teachers have fled the country over the past six months.

Of the 430 teachers serving at the Herat University, 140 were sent abroad for higher education by the previous government.

The incumbent government has reopened public and private universities after a gap of almost six months.

Under new rules and regulations, girls and boys are being imparted education separately.

nh/mud