Japan provides US$25 million to improve infrastructure in 165 schools in Afghanistan

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KABUL, 5 September 2023 – The Government of Japan has partnered with UNICEF to construct and rehabilitate 165 primary schools across Afghanistan providing an estimated 33,000 children with a safe space to learn. The US$ 25 million project will include construction and rehabilitation of classrooms, toilets, handwashing facilities and boundary walls.     

“Every child has the right to go to school and learn in secure environments. Japan supports Afghan boys and girls to learn and grow at schools through construction and rehabilitation of classrooms and water and sanitation facilities,” says H.E. Takashi Okada, Ambassador of Japan to Afghanistan.

At least half of all public schools in Afghanistan do not have adequate classrooms and 58 per cent lack drinking water and handwashing stations. On average, there is just one functioning toilet for 249 students. Only 47 per cent of schools have boundary walls - boundaries are important as enclosed schools are considered safe by parents and therefore improve girls’ attendance.

“When classrooms are child-friendly and safe, children are motivated to learn, and school enrolment, attendance and completion rates go up. The support of the Government and the People of Japan is particularly significant at this time when the children of Afghanistan continue to face numerous obstacles to their education,” says Fran Equiza, UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan.

Implemented as part of a wider partnership with UNDP, the project will involve communities and construction experts in the planning, design, and implementation to ensure quality, sustainability and use of appropriate materials and techniques in locations that are prone to earthquakes, floods and other disasters.    

Japan has demonstrated strong and continued support for the children of Afghanistan, investing in improvements in water supply, sanitation and hygiene in schools and teacher training programmes in the last three years, among other initiatives. The Government of Japan has also supported UNICEF to construct water and sanitation facilities, procure vaccines, improve child nutrition and to provide a protective environment for children across the country.

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