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Transcript/ScriptAfghanistan Universities
HEADLINE: Afghan Universities Reopen but with Segregated Class, Fewer Women
TEASER:
PUBLISHED AT: 2/7/2022 at 3:45pm
BYLINE: Waheed Faizi
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Washington.
VIDEOGRAPHER: Waheed Faizi
PRODUCER: Waheed Faizi
SCRIPT WRITER: Roshan Noorzai, Waheed Faizi
SCRIPT EDITORS: KE(1st), MAS
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA Original | VOA Afghan Service | Skype | Feeds
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:29
VID APPROVED BY: KE
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO))
[[In six Afghan provinces, the Taliban have reopened public universities for both men and women, with the requirement of gender-segregated classes. Wahidullah Faizi has the report.]]
((NARRATOR))
University students in certain areas of Afghanistan have resumed studies after a months-long delay.
The Taliban announced on Wednesday that public universities for both men and women in six provinces have reopened.
((Saifullah Saif, Student at Kandahar University)) ((Male in Pashto))
“I am very happy that the universities are reopened. It is good news for the youth in different provinces.”
((NARRATOR))
However, attendance so far is low, with fewer girls attending their classes.
The Taliban have implemented a number of restrictions on women since taking power in August 2021, including prohibiting females from pursuing secondary school, working outside the home, and traveling without a close male relative.
The Taliban have also implemented gender restrictions in the classroom, mandating that universities provide separate classes for men and women.
And if at all possible, the Taliban want female teachers to teach female students, and women teachers are hard to find.
((Torpikai Safi, Women’s Rights Activist)) ((Female in Pashto))
“It is a major step. It is good news, and we welcome that female students can continue their education in a safe environment. If [universities] face shortage of female faculty members, competent cadres should train them so they can fill the vacuum.”
((NARRATOR))
But it’s not just women teachers that are in short supply. Following the Taliban's takeover of Kabul in August 2021, hundreds of university professors fled the country, experts say.
((Khwaja Fahim Abbasi, Former University Professor ((Male in Pashto))
“Due to the political situation, some of the teachers have left the country. Teachers who went for their masters’ and PhD degrees will not return. They applied for asylum there. Those remaining [in the country] have problems with the leadership in the universities.”
((NARRATOR))
And students say morale is low among some teachers who stayed.
((Hewad Daqiq Mommand, Law Student at Nangarhar University)) ((Male, Pashto)) “The professors are also not that enthusiastic. There is a shortage of professors.”
((NARRATOR))
The Taliban have said that public universities in the rest of the country will reopen on February 26.
Wahidullah Faizi – VOANEWS – Washington
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateFebruary 7, 2022 18:10 EST
BylineWaheed Faizi
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
