ational community has not done its job at all. They must help us so that the problems with the Taliban and the growing uncertainty of the populace come to an end."
Schools have come into greater favor among the Taliban and other extremists as targets for attacks. In 2009, an average of 50 assaults on schools was recorded monthly. By using threats and intimidation, terrorists were able to force teachers to give up their jobs, and parents were made to feel compelled to leave their children at home.
Lack of female teachers
An added problem is the lack of women in educational jobs in many parts of Afghanistan, which represents a serious problem for supporting girls in schools. In the country's villages, many families only allow their daughters to go to school if they will be taught solely by women, observes Ursula Nölle.
"Most Afghan girls cannot work after they get married, as tradition has it," she said. "Married women are given over to their work in the home and caring for their families."
VUSA is now at work on this issue at well, helping to make it easier for women to return to work. "Young teachers who got married and had children, who then disappeared within their husbands' families, are now able to teach again," Nölle said.
But more schools and pre-schools are still needed so that the young teachers can really pursue their work - a task that brings the 87-year-old educational pioneer back to the core goal of her foundation.
Author: Mehrnoosh Entezari / gsw
Editor: Kate Bowen