Interview with the educational staff
Regardless of how an election is conducted, the ultimate goal is to reach power; however, this power is only valuable when it is used to help people. To help those who have been deprived of security and peace for many years and those that have been sacrificed for the sake of international and civil conspiracy.
With the fall of one of the darkest regimes in the hands of an extremist group known as Taliban, who carried some of the most radical ideology, a new opportunity was created for the establishment of a democratic government. With this change, people were gradually drawn towards the polling stations to determine their destiny. Unfortunately, before they had the opportunity, they faced many challenges such as injustice, hidden or open brutality and lack of safety for the candidates that left the public in a confused state. From amongst the next running group of parliamentary candidates, we have decided to look at the achievements and accomplishments of one of the Kabul candidates from the previous round of election particularly with regards to fulfilling educational needs.
Mohammad Ibrahim Qasemi is one of the candidates who was elected in the first round of the parliamentary elections and became the chairman of petition and complaint committee. Now that it is the second round of elections, it is rather appropriate to discuss some of the works he has done for the people and to look at what some of the school directors have to say about him.
Mohammad Yaseen Qalandari: “Mohammad Ibrahim Qasemi is one of the representatives that my self and the rest of the educational staff in the western regions of Kabul are indebted to for his kindness. He is always available to help and has supported us both financially and morally. A representative has to be someone who understands the needs of the people and works towards resolving their problems, especially with regards to education. Alhamdullelah, Mr. Mohammad Ibrahim Qasemi encompasses all these qualities”.
The clock shows 11:30 am and the weather is hot and my co-workers look tired with sweat running down their faces like raindrops. The image of the Yusuf Bangi School draws attention to itself.
Jaan Mohammad Molayee, the principal of the mentioned school: With a determined and firm look, he opened his mouth and said "Mr. Qasemi is always thinking about education. He has always supported us and has taken steps to resolve the problems of this school. Mr. Qasemi unlike the other representatives demonstrates far-sightedness and has an open-mind. Before taking on the appearance of a representative, he represents the essence of a teacher. If more candidates like him were to be elected in the next parliamentary election, undoubtedly our people would be able to reach their dreams. Mr. Qasemi’s financial and moral support extends beyond helping a couple of schools; rather, he looks after many schools such as Hamayoon Shahid School, Bibi Zainab Kubra School, and Syed Shohada school, etc. in the western regions of Kabul."
Mohammad Amaan Afghanzada, the principal of Syed Shohada school: "This school was initially like a course and the Board of Education was not very enthusiastic about improving it. With people’s help and with Mr. Qasemi's endless efforts, Alhamdulellah, our students who did not have roofs over their heads and sat on dusty floors, now have roofs over their heads. In summary, Mr. Qasemi's efforts were the reason for our students to be encouraged and to continue their education with motivation and eagerness. We will never forget his kindness and help."
The hot weather and the dusty streets are harsh on the people who are fasting and like all the others we are trying to get to our target. Among the unfamiliar and twisted streets we reach the Dogh Abaad School. The principal of the Dogh Abaad School is a tall man who comes forward and introduces himself as Abdul Wahid and says: “as far as I know, Mr. Qasemi is a type of a person who constantly thinks about helping the educational staff and improving the educational system. Every time we have asked him for help, without any hesitation or excuses and with an open brow and smile he has helped us.” At the end, he added that he wishes that there were a few more representatives like Mr. Qasemi who cared so much about education so that this country’s education would become authentic once again.
Zakia Jamshidi, the assistant director of Hazrat Bibi Zainab Kubra School, is the only lady that we interviewed regarding Mr. Qasemi's activities and accomplishments during the past few years. It appeared that she had many things to say about him; however, due to time constraints and other issues she was not able to express all her thoughts. With a motherly expression of love and tenderness on her face, she recited a few short poems about him: "The only flower that grew in the soils of education and in the garden of this country was Mr. Qasemi. He took the land that belonged to gardens of education out of the hands of the greedy individuals who had the intention of using it for their own benefit."
The principal of Abdul Rahim Shahid School, Mr. Mohammad Sharif Anwari: "It is impossible to recount Mr. Qasemi's activities and accomplishments towards improvement of the education system. But I could say that every time we have asked him for help he has helped us like a brother. It was his endless day and night efforts that helped raise $75,000 so that our school could have access to electricity. Building a canopy for the teachers’ bicycles demonstrates yet another example of Mr. Qasemi's kindness and attention to the educational needs." He added that no one could deny his endless efforts and struggles.
Mr. Mohammad Asif Romki, the principal of Mohammad Asif Mayel School: “The only person that took any steps towards resolving the problems facing schools in the western regions of Kabul was Mr. Qasemi. He was the only one who used his personal, political and international resources to water the tree of education”.
“The thing that we find amazing about Mr. Qasemi is his behavior and interaction with the students and visitors. They all share the same belief that Mr. Qasemi is more like an old time friend to them rather than a member of parliament. Whenever he comes to visit, he inquires about any problems that we may be facing. It is this kind of attitude and behavior that draws us towards him”.
A common direct or indirect question that is often raised is whether Mr. Qasemi’s motive in providing so much help is to enable him to succeed in his parliamentary campaign by attracting more votes? Perhaps the best way to answer this question is to pose another question: "Was there an election last year or the year before?" It is his personality that does not allow his conscience to rest while he knows that the literacy rate is low and it is not a matter of greed and dishonesty. This report does not do enough justice to portray his efforts.
A major part of Mr. Qasemi's efforts involve looking after areas that have been neglected by the past and present governments in terms of educational needs. Until now, he has covered 17 areas in the underprivileged central areas that have been thirsty for knowledge and education. With his efforts these educational centers have been built with the hope for better and higher education and will continue to be financially supported by him for another five years. In these centers subjects such as Math, Algebra, Geometry, Chemistry, Physics and preparatory courses for entry into konkor are taught. Also, training of teachers by qualified personnel from the faculty of engineering, science and biology take place. These programs are annually expanding in various underprivileged areas. So far this year, approximately 50-60 educational centers have been looked after by Mr. Mohammad Ibrahim Qasemi’s office personnel. The table below shows a summary.
