Danish cites factors hampering education system

KABUL development.

Addressing a gathering marking the launch of educational academic year at the Amani High School here, Danish said challenges existed within the education system and outside it, hampering the growth of education in the country.

Education, higher education ministry officials, ministers, teachers and students in large number attended the gathering.

The VP lamented the country’s educational system could not be strengthened in the past despite receiving huge amount of money in aid from the international community.

He said the existence of ghost schools, teachers and students was shameful and a fact all should acknowledge.

Danish said insecurity and lawlessness were huge external challenges, affecting the country’s educational system the most.

He expressed concern over closure of some schools due to insecurity, saying many boys and girls had been unable to attend classes.

He said the Taliban and other armed groups were behind the damage to the education system in the country.

Danish also said besides extremism and groups against presence of women in society politics had a negative impact the education system. Violence against women was linked to culture restrictions and illiteracy in the country.

“I believe violence and mistreatment of women will decrease if education among people, particularly women, is improved,” the VP said.

Weakness in administration of schools, government services for teachers and workers and lack of educational equipment and buildings were other major problems, he added.

Danish said the government had planned military operations to ensure security and reopen closed schools in the New Year.

“But it is also the responsibility of people to support the government and not allow anyone to burn their schools or close them against students, he said.

According to reports, around a thousand schools have been closed nationwide due to insecurity and other reasons.

Danish said needed reforms in education and creation of High Cultural and Educational Council would be a priority of the government in the new solar year.

He said 48 percent of schools lacked buildings in the country. He asked the youth to join teaching job instead of seeking administrative duties. He believed it would help the youth get rid of joblessness and improve the education sector.

Based on the Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform, Afghanistan is committed to boosting the education level and increasing the literacy rate from 36 percent to 60 percent in the next four years, the VP added.

He said most officers in government offices and even in schools and media had a weak educational background.

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