New Classes in Kandahar Provide Hope for Children’s Education Amid Ongoing Challenges

A charity organization in Kandahar has established local classes for children, including girls, amid ongoing educational challenges for females.

Local Classes Established in Kandahar for Children’s Education

A charitable organization in the districts of Zheri and Maiwand, Kandahar province, has launched local classes to provide education for children, particularly those who cannot access schooling due to long distances or a lack of educational facilities. Officials from the foundation revealed that 30 percent of the students enrolled in these classes are girls.

These classes have been set up in areas where there are no nearby official schools or where attending a school necessitates a lengthy journey. For instance, the Shirzad Charity Foundation has opened one such class for girls in the Zheri district.

Challenges for Girls’ Education

One student, Farida, shared in an interview with Radio Azadi, “The teacher arrives on time every day and teaches us. I am very happy in my class.” However, girls face even greater challenges. The Taliban has recently prohibited education for girls above the sixth grade. Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban government, stated on September 8, “Now is not the time” to reopen schools for girls.

Omar Shirzad, the head of the Shirzad Charity Foundation, noted that his organization has established several classes for both girls and boys in the Zheri and Maiwand districts, with hundreds of children currently enrolled. He mentioned that 30 percent of these students are girls.

Community Support for Local Class Initiatives

Habibullah, a boy attending one of these classes, expressed his happiness about studying in this environment. Additionally, some local residents have voiced their support for the creation of these classes, emphasizing the importance of children’s education.

Yet, these efforts occur at a time when UNICEF has reported that 93 percent of children in Afghanistan cannot read a simple text. Furthermore, the enrollment rate for boys is also gradually declining.