Why education matters in Afghanistan, Pakistan

mortensonschool“These are secular schools that will bring a new generation of kids that will have a broader view of the world,” Greg Mortenson, author of the best-seller “Three Cups of Tea,” told columnist Thomas Friedman about the schools for girls that he has built in Pakistan and Afghanistan villages. Friedman and Adm. Mike Mullen, the U.S. chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, recently attended the opening of Mortenson’s newest school in a remote Afghan village. Mortenson said religious extremism flourishes in areas of isolation and conflict where there is little education. That’s why, Friedman wrote, “since 2007, the Taliban and its allies have bombed, burned or shut down more than 640 schools in Afghanistan and 350 schools in Pakistan, of which about 80 percent are schools for girls.”

2 Comments

  1. JWink
    Posted August 6, 2009 at 11:57 am | Permalink

    Education is always the answer to increasing the quality of life around the world. I believe Wichita has many students, teachers and employees here from all over the world. Many exhibit a higher tenacity to learn as well as better manners than exhibited by many of our own American students.

    After this recent rescue of two Korean/American young women by former President Clinton, I wonder how many people from North Korea are currently going to high schools and colleges in Wichita? Hopefully, if there are any, they will eventually break down the barriers between our two countries.

    Same way for Iran and other similar countries.

  2. Boxlock20
    Posted August 6, 2009 at 9:26 pm | Permalink

    I guess it’s not that important to this blogs readers, only one post prior to mine in all this time.
    Maybe we should just leave them to their own misery, and later ours.
    Education is next to everything, and is getting more so.
    Sad more aren’t interested in it and helping spread it around.