Residents of the Gurbaz district in southern Khost province are sounding the alarm over the unavailability of educational opportunities for their children beyond the sixth grade.
In the remote Maidam area, families report that their children have access only to primary education, with no intermediate or high schools in sight. The sole primary school in the area operates in makeshift tents, leaving students anxious about their future after completing sixth grade.
Ibrahim, a student at the primary school, expressed frustration over the limited educational prospects. “The intermediate or high schools are far away, and we cannot easily travel there,” he said. With their families struggling financially, Ibrahim noted that commuting to distant schools is not an option. “After class 6, we will either work in the mountains or in shops,” he added, highlighting the stark choices facing children in the area.
Rahman Sediq, another student, echoed Ibrahim’s sentiments, stating that pursuing further education would require walking for hours daily. He called on authorities to establish intermediate and high schools in their locality, emphasizing the pressing need for accessible education. “Those who want to continue their studies must travel to district centers or even Khost city, which is not feasible for us,” he said.
Tribal elders in the region share these concerns, advocating for improved educational infrastructure. Sekhi Khan, a local elder, lamented the lack of access to secondary education, urging the government to upgrade existing primary schools to accommodate higher grades. “We want the government to pay attention to our area and convert primary schools into intermediate and high schools,” he stated.
In response to these issues, local officials assert that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is taking steps to strengthen education in remote areas. Shabir Ahmad Usmani, Director of Information and Culture, assured that efforts are underway to establish secondary education opportunities for students in the Gurbaz district, aiming to alleviate the educational disparities faced by the community.
