DPA/Kabul
President Ashraf Ghani yesterday called on the Taliban to drop the fight against education and to join the efforts to build peace in Afghanistan.
“We call on the armed anti-government groups, who deprived themselves of education, not to deprive their own children,” Ghani said.
“Let’s join hands and bring peace in the country, because without peace there won’t be stability,” he told assembled teachers and education officials at a ceremony to mark national Teachers’ Day.
Ghani, who was sworn in September 30, said he would make good on his campaign pledge to improve and standardise the school system in his five-year term.
He promised teachers a pay rise and plots of land within the next six months.
He also congratulated Pakistani teenager Malala Yousafzai on winning the Nobel Peace Prize last week for her campaign for education, especially for girls.
Malala, now 17, was shot in the head in 2012 by Pakistan’s Taliban, who have waged a campaign against schools in her native tribal Swat region.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani speaks during a ceremony to mark national Teachers’ Day, in Kabul, yesterday.
