Education International

ATROAfghan Teachers' Rights Observatory

Testimony

Hamidullah, a male teacher in an Islamic school in the Balkh province

Students and teachers have a very difficult situation here. All my 9th grade students are struggling under very difficult circumstances.

I myself have a salary of 9,000 afghanis (123 USD). I have to pay 7,000 afghani to refuel my motorcycle. I have 7 children and a family to support.

This is unsustainable. Life is very bitter for me and my family.

More Testimonies

Zahra, a female teacher in a secondary girls’ school in Nangarhar

High officials impose significant restrictions on us. Female teachers in particular have no personal freedoms. Sometimes I doubt whether our profession is respected.

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.

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.