RASC News Agency: Officials from private schools in Herat province, western Afghanistan, have confirmed that the Taliban’s takeover resulted in the loss of educational systems and bankruptcy for several private schools. A spokesperson for private schools in Herat province, while preserving their identity conditionally, informed a Rask reporter on Wednesday, December 13th that initially, the Taliban displayed positive behavior towards the public, encompassing all segments of society, especially the education sector. However, with time, they issued orders to close girls’ schools, severely impacting private educational institutions.
He notes that the closure of girls’ schools has profoundly affected female students, leading to the shutdown of many private schools. The spokesperson elaborates, “Faced with the closure of girls’ schools, we encountered numerous challenges in meeting school building rent for several months, holding onto hope for a reconsideration by the Taliban leadership in keeping schools open. Unfortunately, these hopes have transformed into deep despair.” Furthermore, he comments, “In the aftermath, we have liquidated all the school’s assets, bidding farewell to this revered profession due to non-payment of school building rent and other substantial expenses.”
Meanwhile, Fariba Ahmadi, a student from one of the private schools in Herat province, informs RASC that major private schools in the region closed due to the shuttering of schools, and despite efforts by educated individuals in the country to establish private schools for education and development, this reality has been eclipsed. Similarly, Farzanah, a young woman who sacrificed material and spiritual privileges to complete her education, expresses that the Taliban’s decision to close girls’ schools and colleges has adversely affected her mental and emotional well-being. She shares that she persevered through numerous challenges for years to pursue her education, but this situation has left her weary of life.
On the other hand, Barakat Faizi, a university professor, conveys to RASC’s reporter, “The closure of girls’ schools and colleges was a project executed by the Taliban leadership.” He emphasizes that the pattern of closing girls’ schools and colleges is not permanent and will eventually change in the not-too-distant future, transforming all despair into a promising tomorrow.
It is noteworthy that reports indicate the Taliban have closed girls’ schools and colleges for over two years, restricting girls from accessing the educational system. Although there was an expectation of reopening these schools and girls’ colleges shortly afterward, the Taliban has yet to issue orders for the reopening of these educational institutions.
