Education International

ATROAfghan Teachers' Rights Observatory

Testimony

Abdul, a male teacher for 15 years in a boys’ school in Balkh

I am proud of being a teacher because we have a sacred duty, but we are not considered with respect. The salary is inadequate, and our wages have been cut by 1,000 Afghani, and living costs are huge, hindering our ability to teach effectively.

The constant fear of contract termination adds stress. Every day we fear that we can be dismissed the next day.

The policy of not rehiring former employees exacerbates the uncertainty of our profession. A teacher's salary falls short of sustaining a decent life. There should at least be benefits such as shopping discounts, money-saving services, and free insurance protection.

I am also very angry that the girls' schools have been closed, as I firmly believe in every girl's right to education.

More Testimonies

Anonymous

Although the Taliban’s education minister had promised that Afghan teachers’ salaries would increase, there are many problems. The Taliban’s policy of not allowing male teachers to teach girls and female teachers to teach boys has made things worse.

Read more Read more

Anonymous, female secondary school teacher, union, and women’s rights activist

I am a former provincial leader of the National Teachers’ Elected Council. At the same time, I have been a women’s rights activist for a long time, advocating for girls’ education and participation of women in different organizations. Due to my engagement with teachers’ union and women’s rights activism, I was one of the most well-known people in my city which put me in imminent danger.

Read more Read more

Shahira, a female teacher for 3 years in a secondary school in Balkh

Teachers should have the right to join a professional association or education union and the union should have a legal right to negotiate on behalf of teachers on all professional matters, on professional autonomy and freedom.

Read more Read more
All testimonies