by: Panjshir Province
Photo: Kurpetab school Paryan district – archive 2020
Panjshir, a province in Afghanistan, has seen a disturbing trend in recent years. According to local sources, dozens of public schools in the province have been turned into Taliban military bases. The Taliban have been using these schools as weapons storage, dormitories, and kitchens, effectively denying thousands of students access to education.
The ongoing armed conflicts between the Taliban and the National Resistance Front have forced most students in Panjshir to stop going to school. Only a small number of students in the province are brave enough to attend classes, and even then, they do so with great fear. The Taliban have been known to shoot randomly near schools, further exacerbating the problem.
According to one international institution, these 32 schools are spread out across different districts and villages in Panjshir province. A source from international organization who chose to remain anonymous, reported that the Taliban have turned 32 School buildings into military bases in districts of the Panjshir province. These schools are located in Rukha , Hessa Awal, Bazarak, Annaba, Shutul, Dara, Peryan districts.
The situation in Panjshir is dire, as it is not just female students above the sixth grade who are not allowed to go to school, but also thousands of male students. The continuation of armed conflicts in the province is the primary reason for this exclusion. School principals and students in Panjshir have also confirmed that the Taliban have turned some classrooms into weapons warehouses.
The local population has repeatedly asked the Taliban to vacate the schools, but their requests have fallen on deaf ears. With the escalation of armed battles in the province, the number of Taliban military strongholds is also increasing. This is a grave violation of the right to education, and it is the responsibility of all parties involved in the conflict to ensure that children have access to education.
In conclusion, the situation in Panjshir province is dire, as dozens of public schools have been turned into Taliban military bases, denying thousands of students access to education. The Taliban’s actions are a clear violation of the right to education, and it is the responsibility of all parties involved in the conflict to ensure that children have access to education. It is imperative that the Taliban vacate these schools and allow students to return to the classroom.
