Teachers in Afghanistan’s central Bamiyan province say delays in salary payments have left many unable to meet basic household expenses, as educators report going months without receiving their wages.
Three female teachers told Amu TV they have not been paid for between two and four months, forcing them to cut back on essentials as living costs continue to rise.
“Our salary barely covers transportation and lunch,” said Zahra, a teacher in Bamiyan. “It’s been about two months since we were last paid. Even if we are careful with our spending, there are days when we cannot afford lunch.”
Teachers in Afghanistan typically earn between 7,000 and 13,000 Afghanis ($100 to $185) a month. Educators say delays in those payments make it difficult to pay for food, healthcare, rent and their children’s education.
“It’s been three or four months since we received our salaries,” said Hawagul, another teacher in Bamiyan. “We urgently need this money. We have rent to pay and household expenses. My father is elderly, and my children are not working.”
Another teacher, Farishta, said the uncertainty surrounding salary payments is also affecting morale in classrooms.
“If salaries are paid on time, we can teach with greater motivation and commitment,” she said.
The teachers called on Taliban authorities to pay their overdue salaries and establish a reliable payment system to prevent similar delays in the future.
Taliban have not publicly commented on the reported delays in Bamiyan. Salary delays have been reported periodically in different parts of Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, as the country continues to face economic challenges and fiscal constraints.
