In remote Paktia districts, school education in a shambles

GARDEZ (Pajhwok): Students in three districts of southeastern Paktia province have been unable to complete their courses due to ongoing insecurity and a shortage of professional teachers.

Schools in Wazi Zadran, Shwak and Garda Cherai districts have been faced with the twin problems, as well as other issues that negatively impinge on students’ future, locals complain.

Habibullah, a resident of Shwak district, told Pajhwok Afghan News no student could pass high schoolin the three districts due to the negligence of the provincial education department.

“There is no high school here, with teachers evincing little interest in their job. In the current situation, professionalism will look too big ask,” the man remarked.

Noor Agha, a resident of Wazi Zadran district, held a similar view. He said the government hadbeen asked several times to pay due attention to resolving the plight of students, but no remedial step had been taken so far.

“These three districts are located in mountainous areas, with sparse populations. Teachers don’t come here because these schools don’thave hostels or other facilities. Insecurity is another concern,” he explained.

As a result, children could not complete their school education, according to Agha, who urged the authorities to work for providing the required facilities for students in thethree districts.

”The education sector has significantly developed in the past 14 years in other parts of the province, but no one from our area has graduated from school, which is a blatant injustice,” he continued.

A resident of Garda Cherai district, Ahmad Shah, asked the government to provide education facilities for the children of the Zadran region.

Acting Education DirectorLuqman Hakim said some specific circles had tried in the past 14 years to impede the education process in Zadran-inhabited areas.However, he did not name the circles.

Hakim added education officers had visited the three districts. Based on their observations, they have drawn up a plan to open secondary schools.

Ismail Larawai, a member of the consultation board at the Education Department, saidif the government could not provide education facilities in the three districts, students from the areas should be given an enabling environment inGardez, the provincial capital.

Deputy GovernorAbdul Wali Sahi promised a survey for the construction of new schools would be launched soon in the regions.He said a number of high schools would be opened there with the help of local residents.

mds/mud

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