Education International

ATROAfghan Teachers' Rights Observatory

Testimony

Abdul, a male teacher for 15 years in a boys’ school in Balkh

I am proud of being a teacher because we have a sacred duty, but we are not considered with respect. The salary is inadequate, and our wages have been cut by 1,000 Afghani, and living costs are huge, hindering our ability to teach effectively.

The constant fear of contract termination adds stress. Every day we fear that we can be dismissed the next day.

The policy of not rehiring former employees exacerbates the uncertainty of our profession. A teacher's salary falls short of sustaining a decent life. There should at least be benefits such as shopping discounts, money-saving services, and free insurance protection.

I am also very angry that the girls' schools have been closed, as I firmly believe in every girl's right to education.

More Testimonies

Sherin, female teacher for 7 years in a boys’ school in Herat

Female teachers like me now face the challenging situation where girls' schools have been closed, and female teachers have been relocated to distant areas. The increased pressure and the loss of privileges associated with my previous teaching career have left me very disillusioned.

Zuhal was a female teacher for 10 years in a girls’ school in Kabul

We do not have a good social and educational life: my daughters are at home, and I am not allowed to teach. We are deprived of our legal rights.

Anonymous, Female Teacher

When the Taliban regime took over the country everything changed. Ministries closed, banks closed, public services were not available, schools were closed, business was paused, and universities also closed.