May 18, 2021
The Afghan Ministry of Education is facing criticism for not solving the issue of a lack of textbooks and teachers in schools just 57 days after the start of the new school year. The shortage of teachers and textbooks poses many challenges to students and renders the act of getting an education meaningless, hence putting not only the future of Afghan youth but also the future of Afghanistan at stake.
“The lack of textbooks in the classrooms has left students with confusion and has bewildered them,” said Abdul Qadir Movahed, a teacher in Herat.
This incompetency in the education sector has pulled extensive criticism on the government for betraying the nation. Ghazni MP Abdul Qayyum Sajjadi said: “Afghanistan has a sick educational system that needs to be treated as soon as possible. This treatment may require serious actions by the government.”
However, the Ministry of Education has announced that it is resolute to solve all of these problems very soon. Najiba Arian, a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Education, said: “To address the shortage of teachers, we have plans to start the process of recruiting temporary, contract-based teachers, a series of paperwork processes are in motion. Once all these processes are completed, we will start recruiting new teachers. Besides this, more than 85% of the books that were planned to be printed in the current year are printed now. Once the printing process is wholly completed, we will start the process of carrying and distributing them to all provinces.”
The lack of textbooks, teachers, buildings, and security for the students has been a longstanding challenge to the education sector in Afghanistan, but these issues are largely ignored by the relevant stake holders. Although millions of dollars have been contributed to the education sector over the last two decades, still the problems persist and are even increasing. The people of Afghanistan blame the government authorities for not paying significant attention to the education system.
It is high time that the Afghan government understands the significant gains that a strong and stable education sector can bring for Afghanistan, as durable peace is possible through education and enlightenment of the Afghans. With the US promise of sending financial aid for extra civilian development projects, the government should form a proper plan to revamp the education sector as per modern trends. Moreover, regional countries should also lend a helping hand to the neighboring country. Pakistan’s extensive scholarship programs for Afghan students are commendable in this regard.
© Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) and Afghan Studies Center (ASC), Islamabad.
