GHAZNI CITY (SW): A member of the Ghazni provincial council has said the Taliban’s threats have compelled large number of girls quit going to schools in the provincial capital since a week.
Hassan Raza Yosufi, secretary at the provincial council, informed that the Taliban have warned the directorate of education to shut down classes beyond primary level for girls in the province. He claimed a number of schools have sent the girls on leave, but no government or non-government body has taken notice of the situation. He said the officials have been informed about the matter.
Shayesta, a 12-grade-student at the Jahan-e-Malki high school, informed that the girls’ attendance has dropped drastically and studies at the schools are also affected. Zahra, another student from the old Ghazni, said many girls have been asked by their parents to quit going to schools following the Taliban’s threats.
Nisar Ahmad Azadzoy, deputy director at the department of education, has also acknowledged the reports about the militants’ threats against girls’ schools. He urged upon the security organs, local elders and parents to help build public opinion about the neutrality and significance of schools.
Meanwhile, Zabihullah Mujahed, spokesman for the Taliban, has rejected reports about threats to the girls’ schools. He asserted girls in areas under the Taliban control are free to seek education, and the Taliban would not allow anyone to create troubles in this regard.
ENDS
