Working on education-for-all plan: Munir

KABUL (Pajhwok): The education minister says Afghanistan is drafting a new policy giving equal opportunities to all.

In an interview released on Sunday, Sheikh Maulvi Noorullah Munir said: “We understand the benefits of education and the doors it opens for growth and development.”

Speaking to Nikkei Asia, he insisted the Taliban did not oppose education for girls. “We know it is the right of men and women.”

The interim minister acknowledged: “It is our responsibility to provide them the platform to exercise that right as a human.”

Munir admitted the new Afghan government was under pressure to reopen schools for girls across the country.

There were potential costs in terms of aid for paying salaries and funding projects, he said, adding they were to make these sacrifices.

He remarked: “It is after 40 years of war that we finally have a government that is controlling the entire country. So we need time. It is not possible that everything should happen at the same time.”

Asked when girls’ schools would reopen, Munir replied: “There is hope we will start very soon, Insha Allah.”

PAN Monitor/mud

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