The Parents Union of the Afghan-Turk schools on Tuesday strongly rejected claims that the schools were promoting terrorism and called for the prosecution of Ali Argon Chenar, the head of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) in Afghanistan. 

“Why are they trying to harm these institutions which have honestly served during difficult situations; even during the Taliban regime; so that the new Afghan generation does not remain deprived of education. Students from these schools have brought back gold, silver and bronze medals from international Olympiads and every year we see genius graduates from these schools while no other educational institution in Afghanistan has got such an honor,” said Yusuf Pashtun, head of the parents union. 

“Was Mr. Atmar unaware about the terrorist activities of these schools? Was the former minister of education unaware about the terrorist activities of these schools? More than 6,000 students have graduated from these schools, but not even a single student from these schools has been arrested on terrorism charges by the intelligence agencies,” said Abdul Shokor Dadras, the secretary of the parents union. 

They said that the TIKA chief in the country must be prosecuted for his false allegations against the schools.

The parents union said that Chenar has made the remarks without having any evidence or documents to prove his claims. They urged legal action be taken against him.  

The Afghan-Turk schools have been operating in the country for more than 22 years.

“Putting the label of terrorism on Afghan-Turk schools which are operating under the laws of Afghanistan is in-fact an insult against the government of Afghanistan,” said Sediqullah Tawhidi, a member of the parents union. 

“Currently I am studying in 11th class. Next year I am going to prepare for the university entrance exam. Definitely making such false allegations would have implications on our lessons. Because if mentally we are not at peace, we hardly manage to study,” said one student Mohammad Zaki.

Currently up to 8,000 students are enrolled at these schools, which has a teacher count of about 800.

“Such allegations will have a major impact on the morale of the students and the teachers. These allegations make no sense and we strongly reject them,” said one teacher Mohammad Anwar.

There are eleven Afghan-Turk schools operating across Afghanistan and thousands of students have graduated from these schools over the years.