UNICEF Reports 4 Million Afghan Children Deprived of Education

A recent UNICEF report reveals that approximately four million children in Afghanistan are out of school, deprived of education due to multiple critical barriers. The primary causes include inadequate school infrastructure, lack of clean water and sanitation, and a severe shortage of qualified teachers—especially female educators.

Economic and Social Barriers Exacerbate the Situation

Many children drop out of school because of economic hardships, often forced into child labor to support their families. The ongoing poverty crisis further limits access to education, creating a vicious cycle that threatens the future of Afghanistan’s younger generation.

Gender-Based Restrictions Deepen the Crisis

Afghanistan remains the only country where girls are officially banned from attending school beyond the sixth grade, a policy enforced by the Taliban since August 2021. This ban has left over 2.2 million girls out of secondary education, with UNICEF warning that if the ban continues until 2030, more than four million girls will be denied education beyond primary school.

Consequences of Denying Girls Education

UNICEF highlights that the ban on girls’ secondary education has catastrophic effects on the country’s health system, economy, and social fabric. The shortage of educated female health workers is projected to increase maternal and infant mortality rates significantly. The lack of education also raises the risk of child marriage, adversely affecting girls’ well-being and health.

Calls for Action from Educators and Students

University professors and teachers stress the urgent need to improve Afghanistan’s education sector by addressing infrastructural deficiencies, updating curricula, and ensuring equal educational opportunities for both boys and girls. Female students have renewed calls for the Islamic Emirate to reopen schools for girls beyond the sixth grade, emphasizing education as key to the country’s better future.

UNICEF’s Ongoing Efforts and Advocacy

Despite the challenges, UNICEF has supported community-based education programs reaching over 445,000 children, 64% of whom are girls, and is empowering female teachers to serve as role models. UNICEF continues to advocate for lifting the ban on girls’ secondary education, urging the Taliban to restore this fundamental right to build a healthier and more prosperous Afghanistan.

This education crisis poses a profound threat to Afghanistan’s development and stability, highlighting the urgent need for international and local efforts to ensure all children, especially girls, can access quality education