Afghanistan: Students in Khost Study in Open Areas

In eastern Khost many teachers and students have raised concerns on the lack of school buildings in the province to properly teach children in an appropriate school ambiance.

More than 60 percent of the schools in Khost are taught in open fields; no site of physical buildings and proper equipment for teaching. The pupils and their teacher are outside in the various weather conditions, under the scorching sun, heavy rain and strong winds, learning their lesson of the day.

Khost Governor Abdul Jabbar Naeemi has responded to the calls of many parents, provincial officials and students' explaining that work is underway to solve the issues quickly.

"We have accelerated efforts in the education sector and have seen positive outcomes," Naeemi said. "We will further extend our rapid pace of work to solve the current and ongoing issues in the education division."

Officials of the local education department have promised to look into and solve the problems.

"A large number of students continue to pursue their education in open air under the unforgiving sunlight, which can be distressing, and we are struggling to overcome the issue in the next few years," Khost Deputy Head of the Education Department, Matifullah Fazli, said.

Millions of U.S. dollars have been donated to Afghanistan's education section, but focus on the sector is not seen illuminated throughout the country, as schools in provinces like Khost physically do not exist creating a rough and unbearable learning environment.