Education International

ATROAfghan Teachers' Rights Observatory

Testimony

Shahira, a female teacher for 3 years in a secondary school in Balkh

I have been teaching English, history, geography, and Dari in this school as a volunteer for three years. Despite not receiving salary, I always tried to be able to convey what I know to others. While I am passionate about teaching, I aspire to secure regular pay, improved working conditions, and job security.

In addition to financial considerations, I think that teachers should be able to participate in educational policy decision making. Teachers should have the right to join a professional association or education union and the union should have a legal right to negotiate on behalf of teachers on all professional matters, on professional autonomy and freedom.

More Testimonies

Anonymous, female teacher

As a teacher, I have seen many problems with my own eyes. In the republican system, my life and that of all female teachers was in danger. Teachers were threatened with death and acid was thrown on them.

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, female secondary school teacher, union, and women’s rights activist

I am a former provincial leader of the National Teachers’ Elected Council. At the same time, I have been a women’s rights activist for a long time, advocating for girls’ education and participation of women in different organizations. Due to my engagement with teachers’ union and women’s rights activism, I was one of the most well-known people in my city which put me in imminent danger.