21,000 students return to new school buildings in Helmand, Zabul

HELMAND -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) recently reconstructed 43 damaged schools in Helmand and Zabul provinces, giving 21,000 students the opportunity to learn in standard school buildings.

The schools were severely damaged during the conflict in recent years, and some were destroyed.

Construction work took six months to complete, and the schools re-opened in March just in time for the new school year.

UNICEF reconstructed 36 schools in Lashkargah city, as well as in Nad-e-Ali, Nawa and Marjah districts, and 15,000 students are currently attending classes, according to Mohammad Ewaz Ansari, director of Helmand's Department of Education.

"These schools were badly damaged in the conflicts and were not usable," he said. "Roofs had collapsed in some, and surrounding walls were destroyed."

Reconstruction of these schools cost 17 million AFN ($197,000), which was funded by UNICEF, Ansari said.

"The reconstruction work also created work opportunities for hundreds of residents," he added.

In Zabul, UNICEF funded the reconstruction of seven schools in Qalat, the provincial capital, and in Mizan and Shinkay districts, said Mohammad Baseem Naseer, deputy director of Zabul's Department of Education.

"The reconstruction budget for these schools was $70,000, which was funded by UNICEF," he said.

"The reconstruction of these schools has given 6,000 male and female students access to standard education."

"Most students were studying outdoors in the cold or heat in the past," he said. "We did not have enough tents for all of them."

UNICEF has funded the reconstruction of eight more schools in Zabul province, which will become operational in two months, Naseer said.

Rescued from the elements

Students are relieved and happy that after suffering from studying in tents outdoors, they are now able to study in standard classrooms.

Zubair Ahmad, 15, is a second-grader in the Shinkay district of Zabul.

As a young child, he was not able to go to school because of the ongoing war in his area, which had destroyed the school.

Last year, Zubair started first grade in a tent.

"We faced so many problems both in the summer and winter," he said, adding that he got sick several times last year.

"We could not study properly because of the cold and the heat," he said. "Rain would pour into the tent and disrupt our studying. In the summer, most of us would suffer from a headache due to the heat."

"I am very happy now that we have classrooms and can properly study," Zubair said. "We are comfortable in the classrooms and can focus on studying."

Abdul Rahman, 14, a fifth-grader in Nad-e-Ali district, Helmand province, said he is happy that after years, the school in his area was reconstructed and he can study in a classroom alongside his friends.

"We studied outdoors in the cold when we did not have a school building, and students got sick," he said. "It was very cold for a month last year."

"When we were studying outdoors, we couldn't see the board because of the reflecting light," he added. "We couldn't hear the teacher well because of noise, and could not learn our lessons."

Delighted about the reconstruction of his school, Abdul Rahman said he is now motivated to go to school and study.

A brighter future

Parents and other local residents welcomed the reconstruction of schools and are optimistic about the future for their children.

Abdullah, 42, is a resident of Shinkay district in Zabul, where three of his children attend school.

"Our school was destroyed in the war, but it is now reconstructed and all of the children in our village go to school," he said.

"Everyone in our community is happy about the reconstruction of the school and their children's ability to study properly."

Abdullah said he sees a brighter future for his children now.

"My sons were studying in a tent in the past. They faced several problems in the cold and heat," he said. "I was always worried about them getting sick."

But "now that we have a school building, I send my children to school without any concerns", he said.

Ainuddin, 56, said the school in Bolan area of Helmand province, where two of his sons are students, was destroyed in the war and even its roof had collapsed.

"Our children were studying outdoors in the past and were always sick from heat or cold," he said.

"Our school is newly constructed," Ainuddin said. "Its water supply system is new, and our kids now have access to potable water."