Education International

ATROAfghan Teachers' Rights Observatory

Testimony

Anonymous

Although the Taliban’s education minister had promised that Afghan teachers’ salaries would increase, there are many problems. The Taliban’s policy of not allowing male teachers to teach girls and female teachers to teach boys has made things worse. Many people, both men and women will, and have lost their jobs. The same problem has plagued some teachers with mental illness that the world needs to pay attention to. The word ‘teacher’ is bad for some people, and they do not want anyone to associate the name ‘teacher’ with them. Although the status of a teacher in Islam is great, the fact that a teacher always faces many economic problems in society does not make anyone want to become a teacher.

More Testimonies

Simin, female, has been teaching for 18 years in a primary girls' school in Herat

I became a member of a teacher union because professional representation is crucial. However, our current circumstances are challenging, and I find myself extremely unhappy.

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Mawlana, a male teacher for 3 years in a secondary boys’ school in Samangan

In recent months, the situation has not been easy. What gives me energy is seeing how important education is for Afghan citizens. I am totally in favour of girls being able to go to school and women being able to teach like men. I am a member of a trade union and I see what they do to defend teachers like me.

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Dunya, a female teacher for 15 years in a girls’ school in Badakhashan

I am angry about the closure of schools for girls beyond the 12th grade and the reduction of salaries for bachelor teachers like me. Regrettably, we do not find it necessary to maintain affiliation with the union now.

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