Monitoring Desk
KABUL: Afghan President Muhammad Ashraf Ghani said on Saturday that the government was paying special attention towards the improvement of education.
Addressing a ceremony to mark the start of new educational year, President Ghani said vital achievements had been obtained in the education sector over the past few years. However, the sector was still facing many issues including low standard of education and non-availability of buildings for schools. He went on to say that over 3.5 million children were out of schools. Similarly, he added that about 1000 schools were closed in the country.
Stressing on the importance to raise the capacity of education sector, the president said education had top priority for the government. He added that the government was paying special attention to education and counseling in the country. President Ghani said 6000 new schools would be established in Afghanistan in the new education year, adding that about $200 million would be allocated for this sector.
He directed the telecommunication ministry to connect schools in all provinces of the country with each other through internet. The project would be started in Kabul today, he said, adding that the programme would be expanded to other parts of the country soon. President Muhammad Ashraf Ghani said he had directed the concerned authorities to present a proposal to establish a township and allocate lands for teachers.
He said 8000 new vacancies were created in education sector last year, adding that 18000 more posts would be established in this department this year. He went on to say that 3000 vacancies had been created for women in the country last year. The number would be doubled this year.
Stressing on professional and depoliticized education system, the president said differences, politics, disrespect and abuse had no place in the education sector of Afghanistan. He directed the education ministry, Independent Directorate of Local Governance, land department, governors, mayors and district chiefs to provide lands for the schools in the next six months, which currently have no proper buildings. He urged people to donate lands for schools.
The books provided to 30 percent students would now be printed for 100 percent students, he added. The government had made practical plans for technical and professional education, he said. Technical schools would be established in all districts of the country in the next two years.
Remembering the recent incidents in Kabul and Helmand, the president said the elements which believed that they could deter the afghan nation from the path of peace and stability should change their thinking as the demand of lasting peace was going to become a reality soon. He vowed that they would put an end to the 40-year crisis. Earlier, the president talked to students and teachers in various provinces through video conference.
According to a presidential office press release available with Afghan Islamic Press (AIP), two teachers of Nangarhar and Jawzjan shared the issues of the teacher community with the president. The president assured them that the government would pay attention to their problems.
