Kandahar Charity Launches Classes to Support Children’s Education Amid Challenges

A charitable organization in Kandahar has established local classes for children, including girls. This initiative comes amid ongoing educational challenges faced by girls.

Local Classes Established in Kandahar for Children’s Education

A charitable organization in the districts of Zhari and Maiwand in Kandahar province has launched local classes to provide education for children who are unable to attend school due to long distances or lack of educational facilities. Officials from the organization reported that 30 percent of the students in these classes are girls.

These classes have been set up in areas where there are no official schools nearby, or where traveling to school requires a long journey. For instance, the Shirzad Charity has established one of these classes for girls in the Zhari district.

Challenges in Girls’ Education

One student, Farida, shared in an interview with Radio Azadi, “The teacher comes on time every day to teach us. I am very happy in my class.” However, girls continue to face significant challenges. The Taliban recently prohibited education for girls above the sixth grade. Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesperson for the Taliban government, stated on September 29 that “now is not the right time” to reopen girls’ schools.

Omar Shirzad, head of the Shirzad Charity, noted that under his organization’s management in the Zhari and Maiwand districts, multiple classes have been established for both girls and boys, with hundreds of children currently enrolled. He also highlighted that 30 percent of these students are girls.

Positive Reception of Local Class Initiatives

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

Nonetheless, these efforts are taking place in a context where UNICEF has reported that 93 percent of children in Afghanistan are unable to read a simple text. Moreover, the enrollment rate for boys is also gradually declining.