The Ministry of Education on Saturday said that there is a need for at least 50,000 new teachers for the country’s schools as the current number of instructors is not sufficient. 

Afghanistan’s schools have at least 220,000 teachers for 9.7 million students across the country. 

“One of our priorities is to hire teachers on contracts to use them in areas where we face shortage of teachers,” said Najiba Arian, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Education. 

Among lack of school buildings, textbooks and other educational facilities, lack of teachers is also said to be one of the major challenges facing the education sector in the country. 

Robina, a schoolteacher in Kabul said that lack of teachers is one of the major challenges in the way of education in Afghanistan. 

Robina said she has not been hired officially as a teacher despite her years of experience in this field. 

“What is the difference between us and the permanent teachers. We both teach, but we are not given the same salary,” she said.  

 “We are faced with lack of classrooms. We combine two or three classes under one roof,” said Sonila, a teacher. 

Roqia 11, who studies at a primary school in Kabul said that in many days she has left school because of the absence of their teachers. 

“We ask the Ministry of Education to provide teachers to us,” Roqia added. 

“We need a regular teacher to be present daily and teach us,” said Zahra, a student.