By: Rukhshana Media
The Taliban’s director of the Education department in Helmand said there are 908 madrasas, and 455 schools in his province.
Of 908 madrasas, 872 are unregistered, and 36 are registered with the local government, according to Mohammad Ewaz Ansari, the Taliban’s director for Helmand education department. He said 17 out of 36 registered madrasas are open.
He added 417 public schools and 38 private schools centers have been built in Helmand. Of 417 public schools, 99 are closed.
Ansari said 117 language and computer training centers were also open in Helmand.
Critics said there is no need for too many religious madrasas in one province because students a study religious subjects at public and private schools.
“Now, religious studies are also taught at schools,” said Sibghatullah Atal, who lives in Helmand, “there is no need for madrasas.”
Another resident, who did not want to be named due to security reasons, said the teaching approaches in religious schools sow divisions and spread extremism in society.
“Madrasa students hate school students,” he added. “They see the students of schools as followers of foreigners and infidels.”