The results of Salam Watandar interview with 18 teachers who are also mothers, conducted across six provinces—Panjshir, Sar-e Pol, Daikundi, Baghlan, Kabul, and Samangan—show that 13 of them have been able to achieve a balance between teaching and motherhood through planning, division of responsibilities, and family support. However, the remaining five face serious challenges due to lack of family support and resources.
Some teachers say that their experience as mothers has positively influenced their teaching methods. Six of the 18 teachers mentioned that being a mother has made them kinder and more patient with their students.
Najiba Sajjadi, a 35-year-old teacher from Daikundi, says that by managing her time and dividing her tasks, she has been able to balance motherhood and her job. “The work is heavy, but I manage my time. By dividing tasks, I can use my experience as a mother to perform my teaching responsibilities effectively. I always ensure that neither my students nor my children face any problems.”
Bakhtawar Danishwar, another 37-year-old teacher from Daikundi, has also managed her duties as a mother and teacher effectively through careful planning and family support. “I have a specific schedule and carry out my work systematically. At home, with the cooperation of my children, tasks are completed on time, and I complete my school work at school as well.”
Meanwhile, the experiences of some female teachers show that motherhood has increased their patience, tolerance, and kindness in teaching, contributing to improved educational quality. Six teachers stated that being a mother has made them treat their students with more kindness and thoughtfulness.
Kamela Amiri, who has been teaching for 10 years in Pul-e-Khumri, the capital of Baghlan, says that despite work pressure and family responsibilities, being a mother has made her behave better and more kindly toward her students. “When I feel tired, I take a short rest and talk with my family to regain calm. Motherhood has helped me be kinder and more patient with my students because I see them as my own children.”
However, some female teachers have had a different experience managing both responsibilities simultaneously. Financial difficulties, poor time management, and lack of public and family support mechanisms are among the main challenges they face.
Najila Mohammadi, a teacher from Sar-e Pol, says that due to lack of time, she cannot manage both her motherhood and teaching responsibilities simultaneously, which puts her under pressure. “The biggest challenge is being able to attend to both my students and my children at the same time. When I am at school, my mind is mostly at home, and I cannot concentrate fully; when I am at home, I cannot properly manage my school work.”
Raziya, another teacher in Sar-e Pol, also cites lack of time, absence of family support, lack of supportive infrastructure in society, and low wages as serious challenges that prevent her from performing both motherhood and teaching ideally. “The biggest challenge in simultaneously fulfilling teaching and motherhood responsibilities is lack of time, lack of facilities, and financial problems. When our child is at home, all our thoughts are on them.”
Some female teachers believe that having facilities such as kindergartens on the school campus could improve their mental focus while teaching and enhance the quality of education.
Shakila Nazari, a 55-year-old teacher from Baghlan, says that creating kindergartens for their children could increase teachers’ concentration while teaching. “If there is a kindergarten and our children are there, we can leave them there with peace of mind and teach with full focus. This also allows us to manage our family responsibilities better, as we have both physical and mental peace.”
Haafiza Ahmadi, a 34-year-old teacher from Daikundi, emphasizes that more facilities should be provided for female teachers so that they can fulfill their responsibilities without worry. “If such facilities are available, it would be excellent and have a positive impact on our lives. These facilities relieve our worries and allow us to perform our duties in the best possible way. This not only affects children’s upbringing but also helps us focus better on our work.”
Tahmina Mangal, a women’s rights activist, says that female teachers can create a balance between their responsibilities through careful planning and setting priorities. “Female teachers can balance teaching and motherhood by planning properly, prioritizing, and dividing responsibilities at home. Families and society should also provide practical support, such as help with household chores and childcare, to ensure their success.”
Jamaluddin Sulaimani, an education expert, believes that mother teachers can perform better in primary classrooms. “A good teacher educates students better when she is also a mother. That is why teaching grades one, two, and three is usually entrusted to experienced women who are mothers—they can better understand their students, assess them psychologically, and provide higher-quality education.”
Mohammadullah Baloch, a psychologist, says that women need support to balance teaching and motherhood in order to continue their work with peace of mind. “To balance teaching and motherhood, having a supportive person is essential. When a mother is confident about her child’s situation, she can teach with greater focus.”
Shaker Yaqubi, an economic expert, believes that improving female teachers’ work efficiency requires financial support and better facilities in the workplace. “Kindergartens should be available so that teachers can be worry-free about child care. Additionally, female teachers should receive proper and adequate salaries or allowances in school or their workplace to meet their economic needs. This ensures both economic security and mental peace, allowing them to fulfill their duties calmly.”
According to findings by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the presence of female teachers in classrooms plays an important role in increasing girls’ presence and continuation in school, as many families prefer their daughters to be taught by women.
Reporter: Sharifa Qasemi
