Education International

ATROAfghan Teachers' Rights Observatory

Testimony

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

At work, we face many problems. High officials impose significant restrictions on us. Female teachers in particular have no personal freedoms. I am unsatisfied with my current situation, the wage is irregular, low, and often received in fragmented portions. Sometimes I doubt whether our profession is respected.

More Testimonies

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

All my 9th grade students are struggling under very difficult circumstances. I myself have a salary of 9,000 afghanis (123 USD). This is unsustainable. Life is very bitter for me and my family.

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 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.