Page 11 - ELG2309 Sep Issue 486

NEWS

as ‘English for Religious Leaders’
and ‘English for Civil Servants’.
The irony of being employed
to teach British values such
as ‘inclusion’, and then being
excluded from the UK government
relocation scheme was not lost on
any of the teachers. Word got out
that there was a BC list given to
the ARAP approvals team with
office staff on it, but not teachers.
I have been told the same story
by several current BC employees,
yet the Council continue to assert
that there was no such list.
Since the Taliban took power,
teachers and their families have
been victims of physical violence
and threats because of their work
for us. Others have been subjected
to blackmail and requests for
forced marriage. Almost all have
had to repeatedly change their
location, and live invisible lives
to avoid unwanted attention.
In Afghanistan, the close-knit
nature of communities means
people tend to know each other’s
business; everyone knew our
former teachers were employed by
the Council, and many assumed
them to be ‘spies for the British’.
In July 2022, the UK
government launched a second
scheme for those left behind:
the Afghan Citizens Relocation
Scheme (ACRS). Teachers Those who managed to flee are stuck in hotel limbo.
were told to apply, and from
September 2022 they started to necessary documentation to leave. by the FCDO. As a result, many are helping no one. They urgently
receive confirmation of eligibility. Passports and visas were always say they feel like they are ‘stuck need to recognise their own part
From January of this year, those difficult to get in Afghanistan, in a prison’. Some are pregnant in this debacle, and provide
confirmed as eligible have been but since the Taliban took power, and others have new-born babies support for their former teachers
told to travel to a third country, obtaining travel documents has with no access to education or as soon as possible.
such as Pakistan, to await become much harder; teachers healthcare. The teachers also continue
relocation to the UK. At present, have been forced to engage visa The teachers have repeatedly to hope the UK government
only four BC teachers have been agents who obtain black market asked the Council to provide addresses this issue, and relocates
relocated to the UK under the visas at exorbitant prices. Having support in these areas. The them to the UK, as promised. It
ACRS scheme. Over 50 remain been in hiding for two years, the availability of healthcare is is surprising that the government
stuck in hotels in Islamabad, teachers have no money and essential, and the Council has has let such a serious and
and over 30 remain stuck in many have sold the last of their plenty of financial reserves embarrassing situation drag
Afghanistan. belongings to get the money they could dip into, not least a on for so long, and many have
for visas. Others, ever hopeful, £100M art collection. In terms of understandably asked ‘who will
Teachers have continue to ask the Council for education, it is surprising that the partner with the UK in the future,
been forced to support and assistance. I still hope Council, a leader in international if we can’t look after those who
help us?’
BC will eventually realise their
education, has so far failed to
engage visa agents responsibility, and provide the offer education for those stuck in
who obtain black assistance necessary to get them hotels in Pakistan. Their children Joseph Seaton
to safety.
have now missed two years of
For those stuck in Pakistan, the
market visas at endless waiting and uncertainty schooling, yet, so far, no provision has been a
teacher, teacher
is being made in this area, even
exorbitant prices goes on. Most of the 50+ teachers though BC have a large office trainer and
have been waiting in Islamabad in Islamabad and are experts at pr ogr amme
Of those still in hiding in for over six months, with no idea digital education. manager for
Afghanistan. Some are waiting how long they will continue to Teachers continue to hope many years.
for emails form the FCDO, be in limbo. As their visas have the Council provide the support From 2016-2020 he was English
confirming that they are eligible all expired, they cannot leave they need. BC seem to be very Manager & Deputy Director
for the ACRS scheme. Others, their hotels for fear of being embarrassed about the situation at British Council Afghanistan.
who have confirmation but are arrested and deported for being of the abandoned teachers, but by Since the Taliban took power,
still stuck in Afghanistan, are illegally present in Pakistan, burying their heads in the sand or he has been running the At Risk
desperately trying to get the despite instruction to go there trying to shift responsibility, they Teachers campaign.
editorial@elgazette.com 11