For 6 months, Kandahar teachers working without pay

(MENAFN- Pajhwok Afghan News) KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): Thousands of teachers in southern Kandahar province have been not paid their salaries for months, negatively impacting their economic situation and the education process.

The most affected teachers are those hired on contracts who have not received their salaries for the last six months.

Muhibullah, a contract-based teacher in Daman district, said he had not pocketed his six months salaries.

Despite the delay in payment of his salaries, Muhibullah continues to teach because he is the solo bread-winner for his six-member family and has no other source of income.

Fahimi, a teacher at Aino High School, told Pajhwok Afghan News that Kandahar teachers suffered a lot compared to their counterparts in other provinces.

Abdul Rahman, another teacher, in order to maintain quality education, the government should address the issues of teachers.

Education Department spokesman Nazar Mohammad Samimi acknowledged salaries of around 3,900 permanent teachers, officials, and 1,400 contract-based teachers could not be released over the past six months.

He said the issue stemmed from the Ministry of Finance€™s refusal to give discount to the Education Ministry.

He added the provincial education department would not hesitate from issuing salaries of teachers once the Finance Ministry released the required budget.

He said the issue was often discussed with the authorities concerned and they had been asked to address the issue.

He acknowledged problems being faced by teachers and said the delay in salaries had a bad impact on the education process.

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