The international organization known as “GENT” has announced that over 9 million children in Afghanistan, especially in the current critical conditions, are in need of emergency educational support.
In a published report, the organization stated that this educational crisis is primarily due to political, social, and infrastructural limitations that have broadly impacted children’s education in the country.
The report mentions that among these 9 million children, 888,000 have disabilities, highlighting the need for special attention to facilitate their access to education and specialized services.
Furthermore, it states that the educational crisis in Afghanistan has been exacerbated not only by structural issues and a lack of educational resources but also by complex political challenges.
GENT emphasized that nearly 3.7 million children in Afghanistan have dropped out of school, with 60% of them being girls.
The organization added that since March 2022, over 2.2 million girls in Afghanistan have been deprived of continuing their education beyond the sixth grade, whereas many of these girls previously attended government schools and schools supported by community-based educational programs.
Due to the restrictions imposed by the caretaker government, particularly the ban on educating girls beyond the sixth grade, more than 2.2 million girls are continuously being denied education.
This deprivation is compounded by social and cultural restrictions, as well as natural disasters and structural problems within schools.
The report also notes that there are various barriers to education in Afghanistan, including economic issues and family poverty, political and social instability, and weak educational infrastructure.
According to the report, 18% of families have prevented their children from continuing their education due to natural hazards such as floods and storms. Additionally, many families prioritize meeting their basic needs over education due to economic difficulties, considering education a secondary priority.
However, the organization warns that the educational crisis in Afghanistan poses additional social risks beyond academic challenges.
