Kandahar authorities have started the construction of 20 new school buildings in the southern Afghan province.
According to officials, these schools will be built with the financial assistance of the UN agency for children, UNICEF, at a cost of 178 million afghanis ($2.7 million).
With the completion of the construction of these schools, education will be provided for 2,000 children.
“About 20 new schools will be built in 11 districts of Kandahar. These schools will have the capacity to hold 2,000 students and will be built in six months,” said Ikram Shah Asim, deputy director of education in Kandahar.
Meanwhile, Abdulsalam Baryaal, director of Kandahar’s economy, said: “All the necessities of these schools, such as six classrooms, surrounding walls, solar power system, ablution places and administrative rooms have been considered.”
Local residents have welcomed the project in the province and called for more development initiatives.
Ata Mohammad, a resident of Kandahar, says: “Currently, children are roaming around and disturbing us. We are happy that children will study and learn to read and write from now on.”
In the past, school buildings could not be built in many of Kandahar districts due to war and insecurity. Students used to study in the open air or in mosques.