The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has announced the construction of two new schools equipped with solar-powered electricity in Bamyan province.
The schools were built with financial support from the Saudi Foundation and the Islamic Development Bank.
On Friday, November 29, the UNHCR reported that the new schools will provide better educational facilities for over a thousand students. The schools are expected to start operations after this winter.
Before the construction of these schools, students in the Bamyan province were studying outdoors without desks or chairs. The new schools aim to improve the learning environment significantly.
Earlier, the UNHCR had also reported the launch of a two-year nursing training program for women in Bamyan. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to support education and skills development for women in Afghanistan.
While the UNHCR celebrates the opening of schools in Bamyan, local sources reported that the Taliban closed over 1,000 classrooms in the Daykundi province on November 25. These classrooms had been set up by UNICEF, and the closures have left hundreds of children without access to education.
Additionally, the Taliban has continued to impose restrictions on girls’ education, closing schools beyond the sixth grade. This decision further exacerbates the challenges faced by young girls seeking to continue their education in Afghanistan.
The ongoing restrictions on education for girls, coupled with the closure of classrooms in several provinces, highlight the deepening educational crisis in Afghanistan.
These policies have forced many families to seek alternatives for their children, leading to a brain drain and a growing exodus of skilled manpower.
Amid this crisis, teachers’ salaries have been reduced, further undermining the education system. With growing unemployment, economic hardship, and restrictions on education, the prospects for future generations in Afghanistan are bleak.
The international community’s support for education and human rights remains crucial to reversing this trend and ensuring that children, especially girls, have the opportunity to learn and contribute to their country’s recovery.
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