PUL-I-KHUMRI (Pajhwok): A number of students and teachers of public-sector schools in northern Baghlan province complain about a lack of textbooks over the past five years.
However, the officials concerned say all-out efforts are ongoing to address the issue at the earliest possible.
Masehullah, a student of 10th grade at the Islam Qala School, told Pajhwok Afghan News he had not received textbooks from the school over the past five years.
He said: “Last year, we were not handed 16 subject textbooks. A book is very necessary. If we don’t have it, how will we continue our lessons? Students cannot afford to purchase textbooks in the market.”
Simeen, a primary schoolteacher, confirmed not a single book was distributed to students last year. This year, she stressed, the government must focus on addressing the problem.
“Last year, I was teaching three subjects. Only five of the 45 students had textbooks. The rest were unable to purchase books and could not study properly,” she added.
Muzamil, a student of 6th grade at Maihan School, recalled he had books for two of nine subjects last year.
“I could not learn the subject,s, whose textbooks I didn’t have. And I bunked classes — afraid of the teachers.”
Ghulam Jilani, another student, also urged the government to provide them with textbooks urgently this year.
Shamsia, a teacher at Maitan High School, students said students were given new textbooks several years ago as e old ones were no longer useful.
“Absent textbooks, neither teachers can teach nor can students learn. This is a big challenge that the government must deal with,” she remarked.
A number of other teachers and students also urged the government to resolve the problem with a sense of urgency.
Sher Mohammad, a resident of Pul-i-Khumri, told Pajhwok his three school-going children had not been given books for the past five years.
He noted: “Each book costs 30afs. Most of families cannot afford to purchase books for their children. As a result, children go to school without books all the year round.”
Shah Zaman Zamani, a civil activist, believed books were more important than anything else in terms of education.
“Lack of books causes problems both for teachers and students in the classroom, especially primary school students, whose familiarity with reading begins with books.”
In the absence of books, it is difficult for teachers to implement lesson plans for first to sixth grade students,” he explained.
He said the government was responsible for providing people with a suitable learning environment and teaching materials in time.
Maulvi Amanullah Haqyar, director of education, said he had shared the problem with the Ministry of Education, which had promised a solution.
He acknowledged textbooks were not supplied to Baghlan schools from 1396 to 1398. Of 1.3 million books promised to Baghlan vy the ministry, nearly 800,000 have reached the province.
The rest of books would arrive in a few days and their distribution to students would begin soon, the official assured.
According to information from the education director, there are 609 schools in the province, where 369,800 students are enrolled.
sa/mud
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