Zyken School for girls open for business

FARAH PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

11.22.2009

Story by 2nd Lt. Karl Wiest 

Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah

FARAH PROVINCE, Afghanistan — Under the Taliban, Afghan girls were prohibited from attending school; it was simply against the law. By depriving the girls of a formal education, the Taliban were essentially curtailing any possibility for a girl to grow socially or professionally. Afghan women were predestined to be subjugated as baby-makers and nothing more.

Luckily, times have changed.

Thanks to the efforts of the Ministry of Education in Farah province, the Shura in Zyken village, and the Farah Provincial Reconstruction Team, a brand new school for girls was constructed and opened for business with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, Nov. 22.

"This is a great day for the girls of Afghanistan — one we will not soon forget," said Seyed Ahmed, the headmaster for the Zyken School who also participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "Many new opportunities are now available to these young girls because of this school and I hope they take full advantage."

Located in the Ana Dara District of Farah province, the new schoolhouse is open to girls between the ages of seven to sixteen; their male counterparts are currently able to attend classes at a government operated school in an adjoining village.

Ten teachers, eight of them female, stand ready to welcome the hundreds of students expected to attend classes at the Zyken School. The teachers will offer classes in mathematics, biology, natural science, Dari, and even English.

"We hope the students come ready to learn," said Ahmed, "because we are certainly ready to teach."

The school itself features eight classrooms which have all been furnished with new desks and chalkboards. Additionally, there are four separate offices for the staff and administration.

"It's great to be a part of this," said Navy Lt. Stephen Feddor, an engineer assigned to the PRT. "We are not just helping to construct a building, we are helping tear down a social stigmata that has stood for far too long."

• Date Taken: 11.22.2009
• Date Posted: 11.30.2009 01:55
• Story ID: 42136
• Location: FARAH PROVINCE, AF