UNICEF plans to establish direct salary mechanism for teachers in Afghanistan

KABUL: Following protests by teachers in Afghanistan over three months of unpaid salaries, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has announced it plans to establish a system for direct salary payments to teachers. Janet Voglare, head of the education section at UNICEF in Afghanistan, stated that this system will allow payments to be made without going through local authorities, and the registration process for teachers in public schools will soon begin. The halt in teacher salaries coincides with the closure of secondary schools and universities for girls, raising concerns about the deprivation of millions of children, particularly girls, from education. International humanitarian organizations are working to continue educational opportunities, but the Taliban has not responded positively to domestic and international pressures for the right to education. Wahidullah Hashimi, head of external programs at the Taliban’s Ministry of Education, mentioned that discussions with international organizations, especially UNICEF, are ongoing regarding the reopening of girls’ schools, and called for continued emergency aid. Since the Taliban took control on August 15, 2021, the education system has faced severe restrictions. Kabul University and many private universities remain closed, and strict regulations, particularly gender segregation, have led to a decrease in student enrollment. The recent three-month salary suspension has forced some educators to seek hard labor or leave the country. However, UNICEF’s initiative for direct salary payments could be a beacon of hope for thousands of teachers.