Headline April 07, 2018/ ''' AFGHAN *STUDENTS* AFFAIRS '''

''' AFGHAN *STUDENTS* AFFAIRS '''

*AFGHANISTAN* : THREE POINT FIVE MILLION. Yes, 3.5 million children in this war-ravaged  skeleton of a country, do not  go to school. 
WHAT economic miracles and  how many types of a mirage, does the world envision or consider for the future:

There are 175,000 schools across Afghanistan, and 1,075 remained shut last year, largely because of  raging, horrid violence.

BEFORE THE START of another Afghan school year, about 200 tribal elders in the southeastern district of Laja Mangal gathered in a -

Schoolyard for an important declaration : Any family that did not send its children to school would be fined $70, about half a civil servant's monthly salary.

The district of about 50,000 people had built seven schools over the past 15 years, yet it had struggled to attract students in the mountainous area where the Taliban also have influence.

The elders, feeling old tribal customs were holding back their children, thought the drastic measure was necessary.

''They see those people who go to school and become important people in the government and international organizations, so they have tasted the value of education,'' said Khayesta Khan Ahadi, who was the headmaster of the first school built in the district.

Mr. Ahadi said the local Taliban, after outreach by the tribal elders, announced their support for the decision from the loudspeakers of local mosques.

The tribal elders decision has gained attention across Afghanistan, not just because it could help more children get an education, but also because it comes at a time when many remain deprived.

VIOLENCE AND CORRUPTION have overshadowed what was once a remarkable success story.

3.5 MILLION CHILDREN UNSCHOOLED

That 3.5 million figure is according to Unicef. 75 %, Yes, seventy-five percent of them are girls.

The reasons vary. Violence remains high and widespread. There are too few female teachers, and many families will let girls be taught only by women.

For many going to school means a walk of  many miles each day.

In certain parts of the country enjoying relative peace, however, enrollment of girls seem higher than that of boys.

In the central Bamian Province, 58 percent of the 162,000 students are girls, according to Ayyub Arvin, the provincial director of education.

1075 Schools remain Closed.

The country's Education Ministry says it has 17,500 schools across the country, but 1,075 remained shut last year, largely because of raging violence.

The south of the country, where violence has been relentless over the past decade, has been disproportionately affected by the closings.

Activists say the number of closed schools is even higher. Mattiulla Wesa, who leads the organization the Pen Path, said the group has counted 1,600  closed schools.

Of Afghanistan's approximately 400 school districts, there are 48 districts where not a single male student has graduated from high school in the past 17 years, Mr. Wesa said.

There are around 130 districts from where not a single girl has graduated from a high school in that period, he added.

Lack of Buildings

A survey of 32 of the country's 34 provinces by The New York Times shows close to half of schools lack buildings.

Provincial officials in these areas reported that more than 7,000 schools either taught in open air or had worked out temporary arrangements for classes in rental homes.

The provinces of Ghor and Herat in the west, Badakhshan in the northeast, and Nangarhar in the east had the highest number of school without buildings, each with at least 400.

''Even inside the city, and the centers of the districts, we have schools that lack buildings,'' said Rohulla Mohaqeq, the provincial director of education in Badakhshan.

The Honor and Serving of the  latest *Operational Research* on Education and Schooling in Afghanistan continues........... The World Students Society thanks authors and researchers Mujib  Mashal and Najim Rahim.

With respectful dedication to Mrs. Tehmeena Zaidi, the revered mother of Ali Ezzaz Zahid, the Honorary President of the World Students Society for the week, and then the -

Leaders,Students, Professors and Teachers of Afghanistan and the world. See Ya all on !WOW! - the World Students Society and Twitter-!E-WOW! - the Ecosystem 2011:

''' The World- The Warps '''

Good Night and God Bless

SAM Daily Times - the Voice of the Voiceless