KABUL, Afghanistan – Representative from the Nangarhar Provincial Reconstruction Team visited the Kuz Kunar District Center, Nov. 28, to discuss the state of the district, particularly education, with subgovernor Haji Abdul Qayum and Minister of Education Taj Mohammad.
Representing the reconstruction team was U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Mike Anderson, Nangarhar Provincial Reconstruction Team commander and Andrew Haviland, Nangarhar senior civilian.
The reconstruction team has taken an interest in the state of education in Kuz Kunar, having recently initiated a process to build an education directorate there in order to provide even more opportunity for the children of the district to receive quality schooling, said U.S. Air Force Capt. Ed Dice, Nangarhar reconstruction team civil engineer.
Kuz Kunar has had a significant amount of success in the field of education, said Mohammad, noting that 95 percent of children now attend primary school. Mohammad also touted the fact the district has 40 schools; 11 primary schools, 17 secondary schools and 12 high schools.
“Before, the children sat under the trees,” Qayum said, discussing the former lack of facilities. “Now, they sit in schools.”
Even with their successes, Mohammad noted there are still education problems in the district. Of concern is the disparity between boys and girls in school. Only 9,480 of the district’s 29,945 students and 50 of the district’s 670 teachers are female.
“We believe Kuz Kunar can become the archetype for education across the province,” Anderson said. “The strides the district has made are impressive, and the potential for further advancements is truly limitless.”
When the discussion turned to more broad matters, both Qayum and Mohammad were optimistic with the state of the district. They stressed the security and public health in the district were exemplary but noted the economy was lagging slightly. However, their assessment was generally favorable and their outlook sunny.
“Before, Afghans talked about the past,” said Mohammad. “Now, they all talk about the future.”