Afghan Education Ministry annuls 700 “ghost schools”

The Afghan caretaker government’s Ministry of Education has identified and annulled 700 “ghost schools” across the country, the spokesman for the ministry, Mansour Ahmad Hamza, said.

“The Ministry of Education has culled up to 700 ‘ghost schools’ from official lists since the government took power more than two years ago,” the local Television channel Tolonews.

The channel quoted the official on Monday as saying.

During the previous U.S.-backed regime in Afghanistan, “ghost” schools, teachers, students, soldiers and police personnel existed as a pretext to enable those at the helm to earn money illegally from foreign donors, according to the media.

According to information from the ministry, over 18,000 primary, secondary and high schools are operating in Afghanistan.

Also, 260,000 teachers are currently working in these schools, the report added. (Xinhua)