As unrest continues in the war-hit region of Wardoj district in northern Badakhshan province, local officials on Monday announced that the insurgents have closed down all schools in the area and are recruiting students to fight for them.This was confirmed by acting governor of Badakhshan Shah Waliullah Adeeb who said numerous students have been recruited by the Taliban and sent to war zones.
Meanwhile, the head of Badakhshan education department Dawlat Mohammad said that nearly 10,000 students are not going to school in Wardoj - 40 of whom are girls – because the Taliban has closed schools.
According to governor Adeeb, the insurgents closed all schools in Wardoj after seizing control of the district and have started recruiting the students who they then send to the front lines.
"Recently Taliban started using children in the war. They have closed schools and most Taliban casualties are children," Adeeb said.
Rumors have reportedly been rife in the past few weeks of the Taliban's use of child soldiers although officials have confirmed last week that a number of Taliban child soldiers were captured in Wardoj recently.
According to Wardoj district governor, up to 10,000 students are now being blocked from going to school and that several students have been killed fighting for the Taliban. He said the practice of recruiting them is resulting in many fleeing their homes and go into hiding.
"The future of more than 10,000 students remains uncertain. Taliban force them to fight and the majority of students are sent to Baharak to fight," Dawlat Mohmmad, Wardoj district governor said.
"We are deeply concerned about the problem, because 40 percent of our students constitute girls. If the same situation continues, the education year is likely to be disrupted," acting head of Badakhshan education department Abdul Raziq Tariq said.
Fifteen schools operate in Wardoj district alone, a Wardoj education department official said adding that more than 90 schools have been closed by the Taliban in the entire province.