GHAZNI CITY (Pajhwok): Local residents have constructed and inaugurated an educational complex at a cost of 15 million afghanis in Ab Band district of southern Ghazni province, an official said on Saturday.
Mawlawi Khyal Mohammad Nafiz, head of the complex, said it comprised two buildings and a grand mosque, built on 1.5 acres of land to provide suitable facilities for education, teaching, accommodation and other academic activities in the Payenda Khel area of the district.
He said construction of the facility began a year ago and was completed at a cost of 15 million afghanis.
Currently, 190 children and young people, including 40 girls and 150 boys, are receiving religious and modern education at the two centres, he said.
He added that the complex included a madrassa for boys, facilities for day and boarding students, a grand mosque and a Darul Hifaz (Quran memorisation centre).
He said residents of Payendakhel, as well as people from around 10 neighbouring villages, could benefit from the educational facilities.
Around 85 families live in Payendakhel village alone, according to Nafiz.
He said a shortage of educational facilities and difficulties faced by children in accessing education had prompted him to work with local residents to establish the complex and provide children in the area with suitable learning opportunities.
Haji Khaliqdad Haqmal, a tribal elder from Payendakhel, said the area had faced educational challenges for years and lacked adequate facilities for children.
He welcomed the establishment of the complex, saying the project had been completed through the efforts and cooperation of local residents, particularly Mawlawi Khyal Mohammad Nafiz.
Another tribal elder, Haji Aqa Mohammad, described the complex as an important step for the future generation, saying collective efforts by local residents would help address educational challenges and provide children with learning opportunities.
He expressed hope that construction of the remaining buildings of the complex would also be completed so that more children and young people in the area could benefit from the facilities.
Waheda, a female student at the centre, said there had previously been no suitable educational facility in her area, but the establishment of the centre had provided her with better learning opportunities.
She welcomed the construction of the complex and expressed hope that additional educational buildings for girls would be built to expand their access to education.
Another student, Khan Mohammad, said he had previously faced difficulties due to the lack of a suitable educational centre in the area, but could now continue his studies in his own village.
Meanwhile, efforts by private individuals and local residents to establish educational and religious centres in Ghazni have increased in recent times, as communities seek to expand educational facilities and provide suitable learning environments for their children.
A few days ago, buildings for two educational centres and a grand mosque were also inaugurated in the Ezzat Kala area of Maqur district through the efforts and financial support of investor Dr. Dawood Himat.
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