2 years on, Taliban keep 16 Warduj schools closed

Monitoring Desk

FAIZABD: Talks have been underway with Taliban militants through tribal elders and religious scholars on reopening more than a dozen schools the rebels have closed in Warduj district of northeastern Badakhshan province, officials said Monday.

The schools have been shut for the last two years, sending nearly ten thousands children out of school.

However, government officials say efforts are being made to reopen the schools. Provincial authorities say they have taken up the issue with militant leaders.

Provincial education director Rohullah Muhaqqiq told a gathering marking the new academic year here that thousands of children remained deprived of education in Warduj district due to closure of 16 schools.

He said the schools had been closed due to Taliban threats, lack of routes, bridges and culverts in the province.

“We have spoken many times to Taliban commanders through Islamic scholars and tribal elders of Baharak district which is near to Warduj district and we hope the doors of all education centers would reopen soon in the area”.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ahmad Bashir Samim, Badakhshan provincial council (PC) chairman, expressed his concern over the closure of a number of schools, seminaries and teacher training centers in the district.

He further added instability in Darwaza, Kirn, Manjan and Mirzai districts had rendered children unable to attend schools.

He urged the central government to pay attention to the issue in order to enable thousands of students to return to their studies.

Badakhshan deputy education director Ismatullah Sharqi said currently 45, 0000 students with 40 percent them girls went to schools in Badakhshan.

He added 3, 00 more teacher vacancies would be announced during the new solar year.