From chaos to model school: Principal Kohistani retires

KABUL (Pajhwok): After 24 years of continuous and effective leadership, Asadullah Kohistani succeeded in transforming Ghulam Haidar Khan High School in Kabul—once known for chaos and disorder—into a model and well-organized educational institution.

He says he gained public trust and strengthened the learning process sustainably at the school by implementing the slogan, “Education with the people, and the people with education.”

Who is Asadullah Kohistani?

Asadullah Kohistani was born in 1341 (1962) in the Hesa Duwum district of Kapisa province.

He completed his school at Mahmood Raqi High School and later graduated from Kabul University of Education in the field of Dari language and literature. In his youth, he served in the military for four and a half years and was appointed as a teacher in 1364 ( 1985) at Saboor Shaheed High School—now known as Ghulam Haidar Khan High School.

After 10 years of teaching, he gradually assumed administrative roles including Administrative Deputy, Academic Deputy, and eventually Principal of the school. Of his 36 years of service in Afghanistan’s education sector, he served 24 years as the principal of Ghulam Haidar Khan High School.

He also served as principal for 10 months at Naderia High School and for five months at Abdul Ahmad Javid High School. On 23 Saur 1404 (May 12, 2025), he officially retired as per the directive of the Ministry of Education.

In an interview with Sohrab Sarwari, a journalist for Pajhwok Afghan News, Kohistani said that his schoolteachers were kind and responsible individuals who believed that education is the backbone of a country.

He says those teachers, along with his father, were his main inspirations to pursue the noble path of teaching—a path to which he dedicated 36 years of his life. He describes teaching not as a job but as a “deep passion and sincere commitment.”

Managing Kabul’s most challenging schools

At one point, the name of Ghulam Haidar Khan High School was synonymous with disorder, overcrowding, and chaos. The school lacked a boundary wall, with people frequently passing through the school grounds to reach Maryam Bazaar. It was overpopulated, had insufficient educational resources, and frequent physical altercations among students made it one of the most challenging schools in the capital.

Throughout Kohistani’s life, the name “Ghulam Haidar Khan School” recurs—what he calls “both a battlefield of conflict and a bastion of love for education.” Though managing the school was a challenge many avoided, Kohistani stood firm with patience and perseverance for over 24 years, ensuring the school’s foundation remained strong.

With a bittersweet smile, he said: “Managing Ghulam Haidar Khan was hard—very hard. But I stayed. Instead of complaining, I built. Instead of fleeing, I stood my ground.”

He noted that in earlier days the school had no trees, fruit-bearing or otherwise, and its compound resembled a barren field with only a 24-classroom building amid many shortcomings.

He added that creating a suitable educational environment, solving classroom shortages, restoring discipline, and preparing students for responsible citizenship were major challenges he faced.

He believes that unity, cooperation, and a spirit of camaraderie among the school staff helped him overcome these obstacles. By practically applying the slogan “Education with the people, and the people with education,” he aimed to encourage families to cooperate with the educational system.

He strongly believes that parental involvement fosters student success and helps build a brighter future.

Kohistani said, “I tried to serve those children who come to school with hope, and the mothers and fathers who invest everything in educating their children. As someone responsible for education, I did my best with honesty and conscience to uphold the trust of these families.”

He also tried to keep politics out of the school and maintained that education should remain neutral, a stance he said was aligned with the broader policy of Afghanistan’s educational system.

He affirmed that throughout his tenure, he was treated with kindness by education authorities and never faced threats or insults. However, he leaves the judgment of his work to the public and insists that he always tried to serve the children of his country sincerely.

Kohistani told Pajhwok that every Afghan citizen has a duty to serve their country, especially when they benefit from its environment and resources.

He said: “As a citizen of this country, my passion has always been to serve. This country raised us; it is our mother. Serving it, particularly in education, brings honor and blessings.”

He added that his greatest joy was seeing positive results at the end of each school year when students succeeded in their university entrance exams or moved up academically with strong foundations.

Achievements

Among his many accomplishments at Ghulam Haidar Khan High School, Kohistani highlighted the establishment of a well-equipped library with 10,000 books, the planting of 18 varieties of fruit trees, the creation of a green and welcoming environment, a modern laboratory, and a mosque with a capacity of 400 worshippers.

Awards and Honors

Asadullah Kohistani received multiple commendations and awards during his career.

He was awarded the Ghazi Mir Masjidi Khan Kohistani Medal by former President Hamid Karzai and the Ghazi Mir Bacha Khan Kohdamani Medal by former President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani. The previous Afghan government also recognized him as a Peace Ambassador for Education.

His Students Who Reached Great Heights

Kohistani says his greatest pride lies not in certificates or titles, but in his students—many of whom now serve as ministers, deputy ministers, generals, parliamentarians, medical specialists, university professors, school teachers, and societal leaders.

With emotional pride, he stated: “They’ve never forgotten my ethical teachings, mentoring, and sincere affection. To this day, they maintain heartfelt connections with me.”

He believes these successes were not solely due to his individual efforts but were the result of collective teamwork, shared belief in education, and love for the homeland.

He added that seven former members of Afghanistan’s parliament and several ministers were once students at Ghulam Haidar Khan, and at least 31 of its graduates returned to become teachers at the same school.

He said: “Seeing students from Ghulam Haidar Khan reach high positions encouraged me to keep working hard and never feel tired.”

Kohistani’s Retirement: An End or a Beginning?

On a quiet spring day in the month of Saur, the final school bell marked more than just the end of a class—it signified the closure of a golden chapter in Asadullah Kohistani’s life. After dedicating 36 years to the education of Afghan youth, it was a heartfelt farewell.

Kohistani, who doesn’t see himself as separated from education, stated: “I said goodbye to the principal’s desk, not to the endless love for teaching; I left the office, not the mission; I stepped away from the official scene, but not from the hearts.”

He emphasized that his mission hasn’t ended and that he will always remain a servant to the people of Afghanistan. He called on fellow citizens to serve the country sincerely and with integrity.

Although retired, his heart still beats for education. When passing by the school gate, memories rush back—bells ringing, students’ quarrels, parents’ concerns—all still vivid in his mind.

He said: “On 23 Saur, I was proudly retired. I feel a chapter of my life full of love, commitment, sacrifice, and development ended with honor. But my heart remains alive in the classrooms, the school bells, and the hopeful eyes of my students. This decision didn’t lessen my passion for service; it prepared me to begin a new chapter with a clear conscience.”

Kohistani publicly announced his retirement on his Facebook page, ending his message with: “Now, with a peaceful heart and clear conscience, I step away from the formal stage, but my emotional bond with education and the children of this land will never break.”

In another message to his students and the public, he advised: “Combine knowledge with ethics, remain loyal to humanity, pursue justice and fairness, and make unity and genuine solidarity your guiding principles.”

Students

Mohammad Siam Haleem, a distinguished graduate of Ghulam Haidar Khan High School, enrolled in the journalism faculty at Kabul University in 1396 (2017), while also studying law and political science at a private university. He now teaches at a private university in Kabul.

He said that before joining this school, he studied at a private school in Taloqan, but after moving to Kabul and researching schools, he chose Ghulam Haidar Khan because of its reputation for discipline and strong management under Kohistani.

“The school had a very organized and positive environment, both academically and psychologically. Asadullah Kohistani personally oversaw everything,” he said.

He added that after graduation, he encouraged others to enroll their children in the school and hopes the new principal will continue Kohistani’s legacy and maintain the school’s standards.

sa/ma