Report by: Nasratullah Tahirzai :
A two-floor school building has been completed and officially inaugurated in the Gusht area of Parun, the capital of Nuristan province, at a cost of nearly 1.5 million Afghanis.
Local officials in Nuristan say the building was constructed using the Ministry of Education’s internal budget, and it has helped address the long-standing issue of lack of shelter for students in the region.
Meanwhile, residents of the area say the education sector in Nuristan has long been neglected, and they are calling on the caretaker government to address the existing challenges.
The Director of Education in Nuristan, Taj Mohammad Mutmain, said the newly built structure cost around 1.2 to 1.5 million Afghanis, and it now provides a safe and functional learning space for approximately 200 students.
“The construction of Kusht school cost between 1.2 to 1.5 million Afghanis. It has solved the shelter problem for nearly 200 students and created the necessary conditions for learning. We are also planning to build additional parts of the school in the future,” said Mutmain.
Although local residents in Parun are happy with the completion of the new school building, they say many schools in Nuristan still lack proper infrastructure, shelter, and facilities.
Sher Ali, a resident of Parun, said:
“It’s a very good development that our school now has a building. In the past, students faced serious difficulties during wind and rain. Classes would be canceled, and students had to go home. Now, thankfully, they will be able to continue their lessons in a calm environment.”
Shakerullah, another resident of Parun, said:
“In Parun and other districts of Nuristan, dozens of schools still lack buildings, walls, and basic facilities. These problems disrupt students’ learning. Education was not prioritized in the past, but we now ask the current government to give this sector special attention.”
On the other hand, provincial officials in Nuristan acknowledge the shortage of school infrastructure and promise gradual improvements.
Faisal Mokhtar, Deputy Governor of Nuristan, stated:
“In the center of Nuristan and all of its districts, we will work to resolve issues related to school buildings, shelters, boundary walls, textbooks, pens, notebooks, and other necessary supplies. Our goal is to create a better learning environment for students.”
According to the Nuristan Department of Education, with the support of aid organizations, 300 community-based classrooms have been activated in the province’s center and districts to help students who were previously deprived of education due to conflict and long distances from school.
