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Press Centre
News note
Massive return to classrooms indicated by latest results
of nationwide survey
Thursday, 11 July 2002 -- Ongoing results received from the nationwide
assessment of learning spaces, being jointly conducted by the Afghanistan
Ministry of Education and UNICEF, is indicating that there has been
a massive return of children - both boys and girls - to schools around
the country.
Preliminary data has now been collated from 20 provinces (2/3rds of
the whole country), covering some 2,744 schools.
Nearly 1.25 million children are now attending school in these 20 provinces.1.1
million children are enrolled in Grades 1-6 - original predictions before
the start of the new school term in March anticipated a total national
enrolment in these Grades of 1.7 million children. If the survey continues
to show a similar trend from the rest of the country, UNICEF believes
that the final number of children in the classroom will exceed all expectations.
Indications are that enrolment will be 60% higher than before March,
with the number of girls coming to school over 90% higher.
The latest information shows that 30% of pupils now attending school
are girls, and the ratio between girls and boys is relatively similar
across the country. Even in Kandahar, where girls' enrolment prior to
the Taliban era was negligible, girls now make up 10% of the student
population.
The survey also gives an insight to the number of teachers. Across
the 20 provinces, over 27,000 teachers are involved in education - 36%
are women. In Kabul city, the number of women teachers exceeds men by
more than 3,000.
While these figures provide a positive message about education in Afghanistan,
several problems remain. Teachers are reporting more children seeking
to enrol every day; some schools around Kabul, for example, see up to
10 new children a day registering for lessons, mostly in Grade 1 - a
result of ongoing return of refugees from Pakistan. There is a continued
need for more books, stationery supplies and investment in teacher training
and support. Physical infrastructure remains a concern - only 22% of
schools assessed so far have adequate sanitation for pupils, and many
children are still being taught in temporary tented classrooms.
UNICEF and the Ministry of Education remain committed to meeting these
needs; UNICEF is appealing for an additional US$10 million on top of
its original appeal for US$ 47 million for education, to ensure that
all children and teachers returning to school in coming months are properly
equipped.
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For more information, please contact:
Edward Carwardine
UNICEF-Media, Kabul
+4673004 4590 or +88216 898 00081
Notes:
Major funding requirement in education
- Funds required for 2002 - US$ 57million (initial appeal for US$
47 million, plus additional US$10 million to meet new needs prior
to March 2003)
- Funds received to date - US$ 33million
- Almost all available funds now expended
Priority needs
- US$ 14 million for: teacher training, curricula development, support
to the Ministry of Education, supply, rehabilitation, Early Childhood
Development projects, women's literacy
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