A charity foundation in western Kabul has provided free education to more than 200 female students.
The head of the Tabasum Charity Foundation said that over the past year, it has provided free educational opportunities for male and female students who cannot afford to go to school.
“95% of the students are orphans, homeless and members of poor families who cannot afford to go to school or to get their own educational materials,” said Abdullah Hemmati, head of the Tabasum Charity Foundation.
Meanwhile, the students ask the Islamic Emirate to allow female students over the sixth grade to go to school.
“I want to continue my studies, but I do not know whether the Taliban will let us or not. We ask the Islamic Emirate to open schools as soon as possible,” said Maryam, a student.
“I would like to become a doctor in the future to treat my own people or patients,” said Nazanin, a student.
“I could not afford the fees in other schools and I want to study here and become an engineer in the future,” said Amir Hussein, a student.
The head of Tabassum School said that in addition to educating students based on the country’s curriculum, the foundation also teaches students in educational classes such as mathematics, English and computers.
“The (national) curriculum is taught here. In addition to those subjects, we also teach mathematics, English or computer subjects along with other subjects,” said Mohammad Taher Haidari, headmaster of Tabassum School.
Previously, the foundation operated two bakeries that distribute free bread to the needy in two parts of western Kabul.
In a joint press statement released on Sunday, the UN Security Council members have reaffirmed the right to education for all Afghans and called on the Islamic Emirate to “respect the right to education and adhere to their commitments to reopen schools for all female students without further delay.”
On Friday, the UN Secretary General special envoy for Afghanistan, Deborah Lyons, briefed the Security Council on girls’ education in Afghanistan. The council has tasked Lyons to continue engaging with all relevant Afghan political actors, including the relevant authorities, on girls’ education and keep the council informed of any progress.
“The members of the Security Council stressed the importance of efforts by the international community to support Afghanistan, including on education, and highlighted the coordinating role of UNAMA in this regard,” the statement reads.
Based the previous commitments and announcements by the Islamic Emirate, all girls’ schools were set to reopen on Wednesday. Girls beyond grade six, however, were not allowed to attend school on Wednesday and were told to wait until further notification.
This decision met sharp reactions from inside and outside Afghanistan. In a joint statement on Friday, ten members of the UN Security Council also called on the Islamic Emirate to reopen all girls’ schools across Afghanistan.
