KABUL - Balkh education officials said 60 percent of adults who took literacy courses in Mazar-e-Sharif were women.
In the last two years nearly 40,000 adults, including women, have graduated from literacy courses in Mazar-e-Sharif and are now able to read and write, said Balkh education officials on Saturday.
The head of the literacy department at the directorate of education in Balkh province said out of these 40,000 people, 60 percent of them are women.
Head of the department, Ahmad Nasir Ahmadi, on Saturday said at a ceremony: “In the last two years nearly 40,000 people have graduated from literacy courses and have learned to read and write,” said Ahmadi.
Many women attended Saturday’s ceremony. 
“We taught 50 students and they were very happy to get the opportunity to learn,” NargisSajadi, a teacher said.
“Due to some issues I was not able to go to school. Following my marriage, I came to Mazar-e-Sharif city and my husband allowed me to learn,” Amina, a student said.
“I learned to read and write and anywhere I go I can read billboards and can find my way,” Naz Gul, another student said.
Zainab, 26, is from Sancharak district in Sar-e-Pul and went to Mazar-e-Sharif city to learn to read and write.
Zainab said her family did not allow her to go to school as a child, but after getting married, her husband allowed her to attend the literacy course in Mazar-e-Sharif.
Now she can read and write.
“We were not allowed by our elders to go to school and we were unable to read,” said Zainab.
According to the literacy department of Balkh education directorate, a shortage of professional teachers and the lack of classrooms were the main challenges for the ministry. (Tolo news)