Several international organizations, including Save the Children, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the Afghanistan Education Authority, have recently announced that 8.9 million students in Afghanistan are expected to attend school next year.
These organizations stated today (Tuesday, November 12) in a joint report that based on forecasts, student attendance in schools is expected to increase by approximately 10.7% compared to the year 2024.
The report mentions that one of the reasons for the potential increase in students is the growing population across Afghanistan.
It further notes that girls who are graduating from sixth grade this year will be deprived of continuing their education.
International organizations emphasized that next year, a significant number of school-aged children in Afghanistan will remain deprived of their right to education due to economic challenges and social conditions.
The report highlights that international organizations will focus on vulnerable children in schools.
Additionally, it states that international organizations advocating for children’s rights will support 480,000 vulnerable Afghan students next year.
These organizations noted that the costs of local classrooms have increased from $2,700 to $2,800 per month.
They also mentioned that the expenses for vulnerable children have risen from $63 to $65, while teachers’ costs have increased from $100 to $120.
This comes as just a few months ago, UNICEF reported that after 1,000 days of prohibiting girls above sixth grade from education in Afghanistan, they have lost three billion hours of classroom time.
Girls have been deprived of schooling and university for over three years now.
It should be noted that the current government’s restrictions have resulted in millions of girls being unable to access education.
In addition, women have been banned from going to sports clubs, restaurants, public baths, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian, and working in local and international NGOs and even at UN offices in Afghanistan.
