Private varsities worried over shortage of students

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): Private universities in western Herat province are facing a shortage of students — an issue that is aggravating their financial woes.

Niamatullah Sarwari, head of a private university, told Pajhwok Afghan News: “The closure of schools and universities after the spread of Covid-19 has had a negative impact on the future of education. This is hurting the education system and has discouraged people to return.”

Following the regime change and departure of qualified teachers from Herat, private universities started facing a shortage of students. They are worried about their sustainability.

He said private universities were currently facing a shortage of students and were unable to pay salaries to teachers and other staff members.

Mohammad Nasir Raheyab, head of another private university in Herat, said: “We are living in a very poor society where private universities are not blessed with the required resources.”

He insisted private universities were striving to continue promoting higher education for youth despite existing problems.

Raheyab, however, complained the number of students at private educational institutions had fallen recently.

Sultan Haravi, a member of the Private Universities’ Association, said up to 11 private universities in Herat province were registered with the Ministry of Higher Education.

He said there had been a 40 percent decline in the number of private university students in Herat over the past 10 months.

nh/mud

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