Middle school reopens after five years in Helmand

LASHKARGAH (PAN): A school reopened after remaining closed for five years due to insecurity in the Nawa district of southern Helmand province, officials said on Monday.

The district chief, Abdul Manaf Khan, told Pajhwok Afghan News the middle school in Surkhduz area reopened on Sunday as a result of joint efforts by tribal elders and local authorities.

He urged the Ministry of Education to provide the requisite materials to the school, where almost 300 students were enrolled before its closure.

Militants had destroyed most parts of the building, the district chief said, adding they had asked the US Marines to reconstruct the structure.

Deputy Education Director Muhammad Wali Sarhadi said currently 100 students were enrolled in the school and that efforts were being made to appoint trained teaching staff.

Sifatullah, a local, said although the school had reopened, the problem of a teaching staff shortage was yet to be resolved by the authorities concerned.

The education department says 168 schools are operational in the province, where 130,000 students are receiving education. Of the 173 schools still closed, 70 are expected to be reopened during the new academic year, the department adds.

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