Education International

ATROAfghan Teachers' Rights Observatory

Testimony

Anonymous, female teacher

I want to give information about the problems of professors, especially women professors.

Throughout the history of Afghanistan, it has been considered among the countries of the world that education and training has not progressed to the extent that was essential and necessary.

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. There were no standard training centres for teachers or schools. There were very few girls’ schools, there was no safe and healthy environment for teaching. In most of the remote provinces and districts, there were not even any girls’ schools. No one was given the right to education.

When the republican system fell and the Taliban seized power, these problems became more and more present than ever. The gates of all girls’ schools above the sixth grade were closed, and to this day, it is not known what will happen to the teachers who were teaching in these schools. All of them are in a bad economic situation, all women in Afghanistan, especially the teachers, have been deprived of all their rights and until today their identity is not recognised.

More Testimonies

Shakila, a female teacher for over 15 years in a girls’ school in the Balkh province

I have been very unhappy for the last year due to the unsafe situation. Unfortunately, my daughters are currently not allowed to attend school, which badly impacts their morale.

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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.

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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.

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All testimonies