Efforts ongoing to reopen closed schools in Zabul

QALAT (Pajhwok): Education officials say efforts would be made throughout the new academic year to reopen schools which had been closed due to insecurity in southern Zabul province. They hope many such schools will be reopened.

These views were expressed at a gathering marking the start of the new academic year at Sheikh Mati High School in Qalat, the provincial capital. Provincial education officials promised they would reopen closed schools and resolve problems in functional schools in-time.

Education Director Rahimullah Lodin told Pajhwok Afghan News only 90 of 238 schools had been operational last academic year.

He said 40000 to 50000 boys and girls remained deprived of education in Zabul and the reason was insecurity.

He said they had been holding meetings with tribal elders over the past three months to seek their support in reopening schools. The elders had promised complete cooperation, he added.

The education director said they planned to reopen 10 closed schools during the first week of the new academic year.

On the other hand, students said the education department had been unable to resolve problems in functional schools.

Samiullah, a student at the Sheikh Mati High School No.2, said they had been without a complete set of textbooks last year, when lack of professional teachers negatively impacted their studies. He added students should be delivered textbooks in time and the problem of teachers’ shortage resolved.

Another student, Abdul Hamid, said their school lacked sufficient benches and desks for students. But the education director promised there would be no such problems during the new academic year.

ma/mud

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