Rebels support education in Sherzad

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Taliban authorities in the Sherzad district of eastern Nangarhar province to smoothly run their affairs.

Ghulam Mohammad, the district education director, told Pajhwok Afghan News the rebels were not threatening schools in the district, where all schools were open to students.

He said some militants had earlier been attempting to disrupt the education process, but the issue had been resolved by elders and currently there was no problem.

He said 31 schools, including 10 high schools, were operational in the district, where three girls high schools had so far graduated three batches.

Earlier, some students would avoid attending school due fierce clashes between insurgents and security forces.

The education director said the issue of clashes near schools had been resolved through negotiations and students had started attending classes.

However, he said they lacked professional teachers and thus poor quality of education in the district.

Abdul Ali, a teacher, said earlier some elements had been creating hurdles to the education sector, but the issue had been resolved by elders.

He said in other areas, rebels did not allow schools, but in Sherzad, the education process had the support of armed insurgents, thanks to intervention of local elders.

Asif Shinwari, the provincial Education Department spokesman, said every Afghan child had the right to go to school and study.

He said the process of text books distribution had successfully been completed in the province and there had been no problem hindering the vital sector.

Sherzad is one of Nangarhar’s restive districts, where rebels hold sway and often get engaged in clashes with police and others security forces.

nh/ma

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