A little success in Afghanistan:
Maftah is the first private school in Afghanistan’s northern Parwan Province. But its history is brief, having opened its doors only two months ago. Enrollment fees, at $15 per month, are beyond the reach of most Afghans, but the presence of 300 children at the school shows that a number of families have decided it is worth the price…. And Samiullah, a 10-year-old student who attended a public school before enrolling in Maftah, says he notices the difference. “Our teachers work hard with us. They are very strict,” he says. “In public school, teachers don’t try hard. My parents put me in private school so I could learn more.” And not all parents who have enrolled their children at Maftah are wealthy. Parwan resident Hajji Rahmatullah says he saved money and took up extra work to cover the costs of his son’s private education. He views it as an investment in his son’s future. “A month ago, I brought my son to private school, and I can already see during that one month that my son’s schoolwork has improved,” Rahmatullah says. The emergence of private schools, the majority of which are secular, and parents’ eager interest in educating their children is seen by many as a sign of growing stability and optimism for the future.
