Local officials in western Herat have said that 41 schools have closed in some key regions amid the deteriorating security situation.   
 
These schools are reportedly located in Herat’s Shindand, Guzra, Gulran, Oba and Zindagan districts.
 
According to Herat education department, the closure of these schools in the province has deprived nearly 2,000 children of a regular education.   
 
There are 30 boys and girls schools that have closed just in Shindand district, said Herat education chairman Abdul Razaq Ahmadi.
 
“Schools are closed down in Gulran and Shindand districts due to security issues,” said governor spokesman Farhad Jailani.
 
Meanwhile, the Herat provincial government has also confirmed the closure of schools and said local government is not able to reopen these because of serious security threats.
 
“There are around 27 schools which are now out of operation and no teaching happens there. We have three schools in Gulran, one school in Kohsan, five schools in Zindajan and two schools in Oba,” he said.
 
There are reports that currently more than 150 schools are closed in the western part of the country due to security problems.