Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KABUL693
2006-02-15 13:48:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kabul
Cable title:
PRT/LASHKAR GAH - HELMAND: SAID ABAD SCHOOL
how-toVZCZCXRO8164 PP RUEHDBU RUEHIK RUEHYG DE RUEHBUL #0693/01 0461348 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 151348Z FEB 06 FM AMEMBASSY KABUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8365 INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//JF/UNMA// RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J3// RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUMICEA/JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL RHMFIUU/COMSOCCENT MACDILL AFB FL RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2249 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 2459 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 5551 RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 1093
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 000693
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SA/FO (AMB QUINN),SA/A, S/CT, EUR/RPM
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG
NSC FOR AHARRIMAN, KAMEND
CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76, POLAD
REL NATO/AUST/NZ/ISAF
E.O. 12958 N/A
TAGS: PGOV EID PREL AF
SUBJECT: PRT/LASHKAR GAH - HELMAND: SAID ABAD SCHOOL
NOT INTIMIDATED
KABUL 00000693 001.2 OF 002
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 000693
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SA/FO (AMB QUINN),SA/A, S/CT, EUR/RPM
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG
NSC FOR AHARRIMAN, KAMEND
CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76, POLAD
REL NATO/AUST/NZ/ISAF
E.O. 12958 N/A
TAGS: PGOV EID PREL AF
SUBJECT: PRT/LASHKAR GAH - HELMAND: SAID ABAD SCHOOL
NOT INTIMIDATED
KABUL 00000693 001.2 OF 002
1. (SBU) Summary: School officials in Said Abad
told PRToffs on February 11 that despite threats
from "those opposed to education" they were
determined to keep the co-educational school open.
According to the provincial education office, over
the past 16 months 18 schools throughout Helmand
Province have been burned; 66 (about 25 percent) are
currently closed.
2. (SBU) The PRT visited Said Abad school to discuss
upcoming construction of a security wall around the
school's perimeter. The school is located in
southern Nad Ali district, about 30 kilometers
southwest of Lashkar Gah. Built about three years
ago with United Nations support, the school has
about 900 students, 40 percent of whom are girls.
Most students are of the Hazara ethnic minority,
which views education as a top priority. About 15
percent are Pashtun. No Pashtun girls attend the
school, however, which goes up to grade 10.
3. (SBU) Officials said that, over the past six
months, "anti-education elements" have threatened
the headmaster, Assadullah Karima, a number of
times. On several occasions, they even drove up to
the school during the day. (Note: Normally, most
intimidation takes the form of "night letters,"
warning officials and teachers to stay away from
school. End Note.)
4. (SBU) Assadullah said that the school was
grateful for the PRT's attention and its support for
the perimeter security wall, which would send a
signal to potential attackers as well as enhancing
the school's overall security. One negative impact
of the general deterioration of security is that
teachers who were attending the Lashkar Gah teacher
training college for recertification have been
forced to stop due to the danger for women traveling
on the road.
5. (SBU) Headmaster Assadullah said that he is very
much looking forward to the UK and Afghan National
Army deployment. He asked the PRT to ensure that
the security forces appear at least monthly in the
area. He vowed to keep the school open.
6. (SBU) In an impromptu discussion in a girls'
ninth grade class, the students told PRToffs that
they are grateful for the opportunity to attend
school. During the Taliban times, students engaged
in clandestine studies at home, a risky proposition.
Despite the occasional threats, the girls said that
they were hopeful that their education would
continue. Several voiced ambitions to become
engineers or doctors.
Comment
--------------
7. (SBU) The atmosphere around the school was
positive. Despite the modest building, which did
not appear well constructed with only the most basic
materials, students and staff were engaged. In the
case of Said Abad, the community and school have
KABUL 00000693 002.2 OF 002
come together to protect what they have achieved.
It is likely that there are many schools facing the
same threats as Said Abad. Whether they will be
able to stand up to this increasing intimidation
remains an open question.
8. (U) Dushanbe minimize considered.
NEUMANN
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SA/FO (AMB QUINN),SA/A, S/CT, EUR/RPM
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG
NSC FOR AHARRIMAN, KAMEND
CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76, POLAD
REL NATO/AUST/NZ/ISAF
E.O. 12958 N/A
TAGS: PGOV EID PREL AF
SUBJECT: PRT/LASHKAR GAH - HELMAND: SAID ABAD SCHOOL
NOT INTIMIDATED
KABUL 00000693 001.2 OF 002
1. (SBU) Summary: School officials in Said Abad
told PRToffs on February 11 that despite threats
from "those opposed to education" they were
determined to keep the co-educational school open.
According to the provincial education office, over
the past 16 months 18 schools throughout Helmand
Province have been burned; 66 (about 25 percent) are
currently closed.
2. (SBU) The PRT visited Said Abad school to discuss
upcoming construction of a security wall around the
school's perimeter. The school is located in
southern Nad Ali district, about 30 kilometers
southwest of Lashkar Gah. Built about three years
ago with United Nations support, the school has
about 900 students, 40 percent of whom are girls.
Most students are of the Hazara ethnic minority,
which views education as a top priority. About 15
percent are Pashtun. No Pashtun girls attend the
school, however, which goes up to grade 10.
3. (SBU) Officials said that, over the past six
months, "anti-education elements" have threatened
the headmaster, Assadullah Karima, a number of
times. On several occasions, they even drove up to
the school during the day. (Note: Normally, most
intimidation takes the form of "night letters,"
warning officials and teachers to stay away from
school. End Note.)
4. (SBU) Assadullah said that the school was
grateful for the PRT's attention and its support for
the perimeter security wall, which would send a
signal to potential attackers as well as enhancing
the school's overall security. One negative impact
of the general deterioration of security is that
teachers who were attending the Lashkar Gah teacher
training college for recertification have been
forced to stop due to the danger for women traveling
on the road.
5. (SBU) Headmaster Assadullah said that he is very
much looking forward to the UK and Afghan National
Army deployment. He asked the PRT to ensure that
the security forces appear at least monthly in the
area. He vowed to keep the school open.
6. (SBU) In an impromptu discussion in a girls'
ninth grade class, the students told PRToffs that
they are grateful for the opportunity to attend
school. During the Taliban times, students engaged
in clandestine studies at home, a risky proposition.
Despite the occasional threats, the girls said that
they were hopeful that their education would
continue. Several voiced ambitions to become
engineers or doctors.
Comment
--------------
7. (SBU) The atmosphere around the school was
positive. Despite the modest building, which did
not appear well constructed with only the most basic
materials, students and staff were engaged. In the
case of Said Abad, the community and school have
KABUL 00000693 002.2 OF 002
come together to protect what they have achieved.
It is likely that there are many schools facing the
same threats as Said Abad. Whether they will be
able to stand up to this increasing intimidation
remains an open question.
8. (U) Dushanbe minimize considered.
NEUMANN