Taliban Attacks on Afghan schools-Why we should care

by Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke | November 23, 2009 at 01:50 pm

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Acquaintances and friends of mine that have had several tours in Afghanistan have long told me why they believe in this mission. Many of them have done the heavy lifting in Kandahar Province and have been on Operational Mentor Liasion Teams (OMLT).

These are the guys that see the Taliban on a daily basis. They see what they are doing to stop education, particularly that of girls.

Dr. Ray Wiss, M.D. writes in his book "FOB DOC" that education will be the key to defeating the Taliban. An educated population will not let an extreme regime or culture to survive. He goes on to say that parents in Afghanistan want the same thing parents in North America want for theirs "A better life than they had". He poses the question "What is wrong with that?"

He continues to ask:

"What is so hard to understand about parents wanting their children to better themselves? What could be more human? These people are different from us? Yeah Right.

On the contrary these people are just like you and me. That makes them worth fighting for.

And though I hope more than anything that it won't apply to me, I think they are worth dying for also."

Those are strong words used by a professional physician, that made his living for 25 years as an emergency room specialist as a bedside ultrasound expert, and decided that he needed to do his share in Afghanistan. He could have done it as a civilian doctor and remained on Kandahar Airfield, which is relatively safe compared to to Forward Observation Bases. His salary would also have been more lucrative. This Captain, now in his 40s decided to do it in uniform and volunteered to operate out of FOBs, where the heavy lifting is done.

The highlight below is a story from the Canadian Television Corporation and outlines a report issued by CARE, the World Bank and the Afghan government. The number of attacks on schools has almost tripled in 2008.

This, coupled with the throwing of acid into childrens faces, can easily be seen as an attack on education by the Taliban. The Taliban see the danger education poses to their survival.

Despite any other reasons that may be given for our engagement in Afghanistan, we should care for the sake of the children, their parents and ongoing education.

Afghanistan teachers, students, educational personnel and schools were the targets of more than 1,100 violent attacks over a 2½ year period, forcing the closure of hundreds of schools across the country, a new report has found.

According to the study — Knowledge on Fire: Attacks on Education in Afghanistan, which was released by CARE, the World Bank and the Afghanistan government on Monday — the attacks nearly tripled in 2008, with 670 recorded, up from 241 in 2006 and 242 in 2007.

Arson is the most frequent type of attack against schools, but grenades and rockets have also been used, the report said.

Attacks against students and education personnel are also common. More than 100 students were killed in that 2½ year period, including children killed on their way home from school.

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a211423

at 15:16 on November 23rd, 2009

Thank you for this article cowpoke.

There is a saying, "When you educate a boy, you educate one person, but when you educate a girl, you educate a whole family."

It is acknowledged that when girls become educated, the first they do is educate their mothers who might be illiterate. When educated girls become mothers they educate their children. I am not mitigating the importance of boys education because its just as important, but in developing countries the boys often times move forward, while the girls are left at home.

Here are some books that testify to the value of education for children around the world, not just in Afghanistan.

http://www.amazon.com/Three-Cups-Tea-Mission-Promote/dp/0143038257/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259017823&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Half-Sky-Oppression-Opportunity-

http://www.amazon.com/Educating-All-Children-Global-Agenda/dp/0262033674/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259017978&sr=1-8

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 15:28 on November 23rd, 2009

Thank you for your comments A. There is no doubt that, at least in that part of the world, education of girls and women is going to be more beneficial at the outset. There is also scope, however for education of boys and men. The more literate the population gets, the more they will question things.

Thank you for the links.

Hugh Askew

at 15:41 on November 23rd, 2009

Well spoken, cowboy. Nothing the Taliban want less than a populace with an understanding of reality.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 15:55 on November 23rd, 2009

Thanks HA:)

a211423

at 22:44 on November 23rd, 2009

You are welcome cowpoke : )

marianmo

at 15:54 on November 23rd, 2009

good post acp i agree children and their futures are worth fighting for ty

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 16:00 on November 23rd, 2009

Thank you marianmo, I'd rather hear it from a soldier on the front lines dealing with the Taliban daily then from a politician. I also think it's about time that the CBC report the atrocities of the Taliban rather than speculating on a Taliban prisoner story before they know all the details. Let's see what our military brass has to say to the committee on Wednesday.

Yesterday the CBC made a big story out of the fact that General Walt Natynczyk said that they stopped handing prisoners over to the Afghans more than once. It seems they're damned if they do and damned if they don't.

djermano

at 18:02 on November 23rd, 2009

You like to really bend the truth don't you AcowP?

How about telling about all the school shootings that go on in the US? How about telling about all the crimes and robbery, and rape that goes on in the US?

How about telling about all the Prisons and how the Prison population is on a constant rise in the US? How about telling about the high cost of tuition to attend schools in the US? You think the Taliban are going to give their money to support schools that have become property of the US invasion?

Consider that the US leave Afghanistan and let them support their own school objectives. What is it with the American Politicians who want everyone to follow their model. And at the same time....not seeing that their model is a complete failure.

If American education is the answer....then why the failed banks? Why the Corruption and scamsters from Wall Street? Why the lies of Politicians go unpunished? Why Americans have no Healthcare? Consider how many real people die in the US because of no healthcare? Healthcare vs. the school debate in Afghanistan appears to be on the same level of not caring per your one sided accusation.

Now consider the bigger picture AcowP....The more educated means what? More manufacturing, more cars on the road, more oil and gas used....and the quicker the planet implodes because of Global Warming.. I would like to know where your brain is?

People like to call people in other countries to be suffering from poverty....but not realize that, it is not really the case. They practice conservative living.....because in the long scheme of things being rich and saying you are educated is not really an answer. It is a stigma psychological egoistic condition, in which we place a value too.....but really that value is meaningless.

The so called educated are not educated...when they try to force their ideals on someone else. This whole world order thing is hell bent on making everyone learn English or else. I find that troubling. The eduacted need to learn to allow people of different cultures to exist to their own ways of doing things.

Hence we should not judge.... I find you Acowp to inflame the need to keep this fake absurb war going... You should go write for the Examiner, because surely they would love your rhetoric, and you would get paid.....thus reinforcing your pro military ego.

The Rev.

Hugh Askew

at 19:55 on November 23rd, 2009

Nice rant, Rev. Not sure what any of it had to do with that friendly Taliban bunch killing school kids and teachers, but it was - after all - a rant.

Most of the crime here in the US gets pretty well covered. Explains why folks in China are experts on the subject. That might also be the reason the cowboy, from up Canada way, didn't include it in his article.

djermano

at 06:12 on November 24th, 2009

Thanks Hugh, at least I have something to say in comparison to your off the cuff remarks section. Most of the crime, you mean the daily crime scene in America gets covered... thanks for calling me an expert....but I am not claiming the expert label.....certainly you and ACP deserve that with such through reporting.

The Rev.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 18:53 on November 23rd, 2009

Rev, with all due respect you can keep your personal insults about my brain to yourself. You should maybe read the article without your obvious prejudice against anything US. In any case thanks for your comments, they are revealing as always.

marianmo

at 19:11 on November 23rd, 2009

i agree with acp....its important to view life without hatred dejermano.........then if all did that perhaps life would be better ........one sign of peace is a hug, so here's a hug to help you.....hugs now

treat others with respect ty

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 19:17 on November 23rd, 2009

Thanks for your comments marianmo and the vote of confidence. Treating others with respect seems to be a lost art.

djermano

at 06:05 on November 24th, 2009

So why don't you? ACP? Don't think you can get off claiming you dont' have some hatred under that hat. You Western Cowboys start the trouble and then claim you are hero's for justice.... Nice pics of the girls.....or where is the evidence? Who is to say they weren't killed by US terrorists?

The Rev.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 06:27 on November 24th, 2009

Thank you for your comments.

marianmo

at 19:18 on November 23rd, 2009

yesi think so acp

René

at 20:50 on November 23rd, 2009

Did you see the article in this Sunday's Parade, about Greg Mortenson, the former mountaineer and author, who has been building schools in mountain areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan for the last 17 years? http://www.parade.com/news/2009/11/22-fighting-terrorism-with-schools.html

Just about 3/4 of the students are girls.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 21:06 on November 23rd, 2009

Thanks Rene for that link. It supports the need to make education available to the children of Afhanistan. I have highlighted a portion of it below, which I think is very important. He has briefed the Chief of the Joint Chief of Staffs and the fact that his book Three Cups of Tea is now mandatory reading for all SF soldiers deploying to Afghanistan is refreshing,

Equally gratifying is the response of the U.S. military. In recent years, its leaders have repeatedly turned to me for guidance in improving relationships with tribal and village leaders. I am honored that my 2006 book, Three Cups of Tea, is now required reading for all Special Forces soldiers deploying to Afghanistan. A lowly ex–enlisted man, I have now had the privilege of briefing the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen.

Why do so many Americans care so deeply about people who live in a place so far away? I can only conclude that nothing underscores our common humanity more powerfully than creating a future for children. All children. Boys and girls.

djermano

at 06:16 on November 24th, 2009

Really ACP...you are for educating and not brainwashing...like most Americans and Canadians are from your wacko political agenda? Your whole pathetic system has no concern to Afghan needs......you just want their Oil for your greedy fat asses.

The Rev.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 06:31 on November 24th, 2009

Thank you for your comments. I certainly hope you feel better now.

marianmo

at 07:03 on November 24th, 2009

guess my hug didnt help, dejermano you make no sense in your rant against the west, china is notorious for human rights violations

please join in a dialogue or debate,,,you arewelcome to, but do it with respect

canada has no need of oil from afghanistan....we have more than enough to meet our needs

education of all is important its not brainwashing.....

and althoiugh i dont know for sure i suspect acp s ass is nice, from riding those horses

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 07:06 on November 24th, 2009

Thanks marianmo for commenting. Yes my butt is far from fat:)

marianmo

at 07:07 on November 24th, 2009

nice to know lol

YankeeJim

at 07:23 on November 24th, 2009

This is the single most important reason why the UN should be putting forces into Afghanistan, to stem the tide of the Taliban who terrorize the people and the world with unacceptable backward radicalism.

Mary Richard

at 08:08 on November 24th, 2009

I don't claim to have any answers, other than education, but this is why we should CARE.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 09:50 on November 24th, 2009

Thank you for that link Blue Crush

Uwe Paschen

at 20:11 on November 24th, 2009

It is a good post ACP, the Taliban have a long history or rather one that dates back to the Soviet war in Afghanistan.

The US then financed and supported them and made it possible for them to gain power.

Today the West fights them. They are the reaction to occupation and dominance of the Super powers and yes they are mad and oppressive them self, after all they learned well from their masters.

I believe that the solution is not in more war nor more death but in reintegrating the Taliban and a full amnesty. As proposed by Russia, France, Germany in 2007 and now endorsed by Japan as well as several other Nations.

For the Taliban those schools are brain washing institution of the US just as much as the US sees the Madrasah in the same manner.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 03:09 on November 25th, 2009

I agree that they have to be reintegrated, but it also requires a secure and safe environment Sometimes you need a stick and carrot approach.

They were an oppressive regime, regardless who financed them in the past. The key is to start moving forward now. This story, however, is not so much about past politics as it is about educating Afghans. I am also not talking about brainwashing, reading, writing and a little arithmetic goes a long way.

Uwe Paschen

at 07:36 on November 25th, 2009

ACP, I do not disagree, however, one can not move forward with out taking into account the past and what lead to this situation.

It matters little whether the Schools do brain wash or not, what does matter is the perception and that perception seems to be rather strong. Five Japanese NGO workers where killed in the last few month because of this perception, one I knew well and trained.

They had no chance. This is an occupation and not aid and that is what is perceived and why NGO workers that try to help get killed. Would NATO be serious about aid rather then occupation, then NATO would give the general command to the Afghan government and not some US general.

For the Afghan in general and the Taliban in specific this is no different then the previous Soviet occupation. The Taliban gained power after they defeated the Soviets with US help and they know they can defeat NATO as well, now that they get help again from several sources. It is Just a matter of time.

The best scenario would be to reintegrate them asap and make some sort of democratic or clan based government work and make them all see that they have the most to gain from it.

Would it work and last or go back to a civil war is not known. Afghanistan will need at least two generation's before it can move forward and be stable.

Is NATO going to stay that long and wage war until all sing to their tune?

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 07:53 on November 25th, 2009

I realize that this is very personal to you, as it is to me. There are also a lot of good news stories about the work being done by Canadian troops, including CIDA and Canadian NGOs. We can disagree on the approach on how to get there, but without a safe secure environment, we won't.

The Afghan government, at present, is in no position to provide a safe and secure environment and I really think that we need to let the new NATO strategy to take hold before we judge.

Canada has been using a similar strategy in Kandahar since 2006 and from all reports it seems to be working.