Tarinkot (PAN): Following people widespread complains that education sector is in shambles in Uruzgan, officials of the province’s education department reassured that strategy has been finalized to remove obstacles hampering the progress of the vital sector.
Providing minute details regarding functional education institutions in his province, Habib-u-Rahman, acting head of education department said that the province has 48 high, 37 intermediate and 199 primary schools with another 12 Madrassas, Dar-ul-Hifaz and 53 literacy outlets.
He however, said that as many as 46 primary and 7 high schools are closed down because of multiple problems, promising that steps are being taken to reopen them.
“Currently 72, 758 students are being imparted education with 9, 946 are girls’ students.
In addition, he went on to say that 1, 969 boys and 32 girls get their education in Madrassas while another 142 students study in vocational institutions.
The numbers of teachers in the province reaches to 1, 565 with only 66 among them are female, he added. He informed that services of 50 more teachers have been hired who would take charge of their work soon.
Teachers and students:
Waheed Ullah, student of Sayda-Khan High School in Uruzgan province says: “I am not sure that we have ever completed our entire curriculum books since last six years. There is no management in the schools. Teachers are not punctual and remain absent from classes for months.”
Samiullah, a student of 11th class said that absence of textbooks, non serious attitude of teachers to appear on time before the classes and teachers misbehave with students are among some serious challenges that left the education sector paralyzed in the province.
He said that his department raised the issue of deteriorated education sector with the department of education over and over again but he did not get any feedback so far.
Ahmad Ullah, teacher of Sayda-Kahn High School admitted that education system is at the verge of collapse in the province because Uruzgan province is being treated like step mother by the authorities.
He expressed reservations that despite promises by the relevant quarters he could not be given raise in his basic pay despite the lapse of three long years.
“Teachers and students complain are not being heard and addressed by the authority that’s why the problem of the education sector gets complicated,” he added.
Abul Razaq, primary school teacher of Uruzgan province said that he does not so far get any increment despite the fact that he has been teaching since last ten years.
He demanded of the government to bring some sort of tangible changes in the Provincial Education Department, which would improve the education sector in greater interests of the people of the province.
People:
People of Uruzgan prefer to send their kids to Madrassas because of government failure to reform and improve the education sector.
Bari Dad, a resident of Charm area in Tarinkot city says: “I withdrew my two sons from the school and enrolled them at Madrassa because the school did not offer quality education.”
“My son is studying in 8th class but he is unable to read or write but his teachers awarded him passing marks,” he said, adding that education in Madrassas is far better than schools.
Abdul Rehman, a resident of Tarinkot city says: “The department of education has been experiencing serious problems because every new governor to the province use to hire his near and dear ones as head of education department. These kinds of changes in the education department on political favor leave far-reaching negative impact on the quality of education.”  He said that authorities with special reference the officials of the education department involve in massive corruption.
Intellectuals:
Khan Aqi, a tribal elder in Tarinkot city, Alhaj Mira Khan told Pajhwok Afghan News that the officials of Uruzgan education department misuse their authority and working for their personal interests instead of public service.
He said that the entire staff of education department should be purged of incompetent and corrupt officials, adding that competent and persons of integrity should be appointed who work to promote the fledgling education sector of the province.
“Right from governor, members’ provincial council and down to parliamentarians interferes in the affairs of education department in an attempt to protect their personal interests,” he added.
These state of affairs left the education sector virtually paralyzed, he said, demanding of the government to interfere and adopt measures to save the vital education sector from a total breakdown.