Disturbed

On the way to dinner, I learnt that the girls would not be furthering their studies in sec school. I was taken aback by the news. During our usual Mon EL class, the girls told me that they had to sit for an exam end May. Thereafter, they would continue their studies in a sec school in Tounaine after the summer holidays. They were so excited about it. And they even said that they had an advantage over the rest in school since they had a head start in learning English. I can still remember how pleased they looked when they proudly announced that the rest didn’t know EL but they did.

I demanded an explanation from Kadoussi. But the explanation doesn’t seem right. Only the boys have the privilege to further their studies. The girls stay at home, cook, wash clothes, look after their younger siblings and most probably wait to be married off. I have heard that one before. But it only happened during my grandmother’s era. Besides, education is free. So, why deprive them of it? With education, they would provide a better life for their family in the future. They may even become somebody great and successful one day. Who knows?

I wonder other girls in this part of the countryside suffer the same fate as them. Or only the Kadoussi girls are the unfortunate ones. I'm gonna find out tomorrow. I need a translator.