Public universities were reopened on Wednesday in warm areas of the country, officials said.  

A spokesman for the Islamic Emirate said that the universities in the colder areas will reopen by spring, at the beginning of the new solar year in March.  

However, a lack of enough teachers in the country poses another major challenge to the Afghan education sector.  

The students welcomed the reopening of the public universities.  

“The universities were closed due to war and Covid-19. Our lessons were not completed. We are happy that the universities are opened,” said Samiullah Hilal, a student.  

The universities were reopened in Kandahar, Nangarhar, Nimroz, Helmand, Khost, Paktia, Paktika and Laghman provinces.  

“University is a place where we can improve our skills practically and theoretically,” said Aziz Ahmad Yar, a student.  

With the fall of the former government, many high-profile academic elites left the country.  

“The lack of academics and lack of education services in the universities with international standards are challenges that are jeopardizing the educational sector,” said Tahir Mutahari, a university instructor. 

The Islamic Emirate said that the educational system of the students would continue at a normal level.  

“All public university classes will resume today,” said Inamullah Samangani, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate.  

The Islamic Emirate has not specified its plan for the participation of female students in the public university.