QALA-I-NAW (Pajhwok): Education experts in northwestern Badghis province have asked the ‘Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’ (IEA) to allow girls to go to schools and put end to uncomfortable situation which created tension and worries among girl students above class sixth.
Upon the resumption of education year last year, government barred girls above class sixth from going to schools and said a strategy was being worked out on the bases of which girls would allow back to schools.
A well-placed source recently told Pajhwok Afghan News that a strategy regarding the school uniform of boys and girls was prepared and sent to relevant educational departments for their consent.
Girls students in Badghis province said that the closure of schools created serious psychological problems for them.
Shukria, 19, the student of class 11th and 2nd position holder in her class, told Pajhwok Afghan News the closure of girls’ school was a serious blow on her and other girls.
She received psychological treatment from a doctor for a long time, said: “The closure of schools for me and other girls who dreamed bright future was disappointing.”
She said her purpose was to learn medicine, become a doctor and serve the people of Badghis, said now getting this target seemed impossible because she got married and her responsibilities had increased.
Shukria said in case there was no ban on girls education above class sixth, her engagement could have been delayed till she finished her education.
But this is not only Shukria who had been affected by education ban but Afsana, 16, the resident of Qala-i-Naw City is another girls who suffered psychologically due to the ban on girls education.
She said before the fall of previous government she studied in class ninth and she ranked 3rd and attended her studies with full interest and enthusiasm but after ban on girls education above class sixth created psychological issues for her.
She dreamed to become a journalist in the future, said till women and girls were going to universities she was hopeful that time will come when their schools would be reopened but ban on university education she became disappointed and never expect her future dream would become reality.
She said the closure of women and girls universities and schools were the worst news she heard and that resulted into grave psychological problems for her.
“Me and other girls like me who don’t go to schools are being encouraged by our families to get married and make a family while we first want education and then get married,” she said.
Afsana and Shukria asked the IEA not to become a barrier in the way of girls’ education.
Education experts in Badghis province also stressed over the reopening of girls schools above class sixths.
University Teacher Nisar Ahmad Akbari termed education the right of all people in a society and said women like men had the right to get education without discrimination.
He said it was government responsibility to provide education facility for all members of society and stressed over the reversal of ban on girls education above class sixth.
Referring to the fact that women comprised half of the society he said depriving women from education would slow paced the development and progress of a society.
“We should resolve this problem and girls should be allowed to go to schools wearing Islamic Hijab this will help in the progress of our society,” he believed.
Psychologist Fariba Noorzae said depriving women from their right to education made women disappointed and left negative impact on the psychological condition of girls.
She said the continued closure of schools could cause psychological disorder, mental issues, stress and losing tolerance among the affected persons.
She said individuals suffering from such problems may harm people around them or sometimes these issues forced the affected persons to commit suicide.
She asked the IEA to allow women to go to school while they are clad in Islamic Hijab.
Religious Scholar Abdul Rafai Mateei said there was no argument in the religious texts where women are banned from getting education.
He said in Islam men and women are encouraged to get education and even the life partner of the prophet was an education lady.
He said: “Allah has created man and woman to build the earth and this could not be possible without education. The way men have the right to education same goes for women. There is no argument in the religion on the bases of which women education is banned.”
He said women are encouraged to get education in compliance to Islamic Hijab.
Badghis education experts rally call for reopening of girls schools
