GHAZNI - Officials in Ghazni province reopened four schools that had been closed nine years ago following clashes between security forces and insurgents.

The schools resumed functioning in Ghazni City, Maqur, Khwaja Omari and Rashidan districts of the province.

Education official Maulvi Zahoor Ahmad said schools in the Asfandi area of Ghazni City, Maqur and in Khwaja Omari were for girls, and those in Rashidan for boys. He lauded cooperation from local elders and recalled hundreds of students coming to these schools before they were shut down. Mr. Zahoor said the Taliban had not closed the schools; the closure came as a result of insecurity.

Asfandi residents welcomed the development, but feared it could again worsen as “security threats persist.”

Ghazni has 650 schools and 30 of them have been shut due to security concerns.

Source: Awoshtoon Radio