Students should be more educated about the crisis in Afghanistan

By Marley Brennan

Staff Writer

Many false statements are flying around regarding the crisis in Afghanistan which is why it should be explained in school. Many students are likely confused on this subject because they do not fully understand the background information. Students can apply their knowledge of the state of our world to their studies and everyday life after gaining the correct information regarding the events from school. 

The civilians of Afghanistan are currently fighting for survival everyday in their critical living conditions. On August 22, Taliban militants once again took power in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. After this occurred, the country was in turmoil. Disruption and agitation spread throughout the country and its safety plummeted. Violence in Afghanistan is the highest it has ever been due to the civil unrest and the amount of complexities lying within the conflict. 

Many events occurring today are in relation to many of the varying subjects in school. COVID-19 relates to science and history, Black Lives Matter relates to history and english, and the list continues. According to Edutopia, life can appear far darker than in pre–social media days due to misconceptions and lack of understanding. Teachers can bring about their experiences with optimistic intentions. This will open the door to a new level of understanding accessible for students; one that is not dark and scary. 

According to CNN, the process of the dispute has moved along way faster than anticipated. The once civil government has now been overtaken by the Taliban. The subtopics involved in the conflicts in Afghanistan are often biased and easily misinterpreted which is why it is necessary for someone who is mature and educated on the topic to explain it and field any questions or concerns the scholars may have. 

Students should know about these kinds of events in order to better understand how different countries are run. Knowing the key information that goes into the situation in Afghanistan can help students in all of their courses such as history and/or English. Teachers can implement current events into their curriculum by providing debates, related writing prompts, and class discussions. Doing so leads students to become better critical thinkers and writers. 

As reported by the New York Times, students in Vermont were interested in the pros, cons, and specific ramifications of the second amendment after the Parkland shooting. The schools took this into account and integrated lessons regarding the amendments into the teachers’ curricula. One school even had local senators from both parties hold a discussion with their students. The

high school made the learning both effective and interactive as they held mock congressional meetings. These are just a few examples of how to integrate the information into everyday classes. These progressed critical thinking skills, skills in working in groups, and an overall better understanding of the world. 

One could argue that students should not be taught about current events because it can cause unnecessary stress, people see them on the news every day, and there are already enough requirements to be met in school. According to the American Psychological Association, or APA, many Gen Z adults experience added stress from the current events they are hearing about and having to face on a daily basis. However, The Hechinger Report states that children can handle traumatic news and stories if they are being told and comforted by a trusted guardian or teacher. Students can take the information they gather from the integration of this new education and implement it into their jobs, future careers, studies, and even daily life. 

In conclusion, educating students on current events will be beneficial in every aspect of their lives. The circumstances in Afghanistan are life threatening to many. This type of event should be taken seriously and people should know the correct facts and reasonings behind it. Teachers can apply such events into their teaching by holding debates, discussions, writing prompts, and essays.