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90% of 10-Year-Olds in Afghanistan Cannot Read, Warn UN Agencies

UN agencies UNICEF and UNESCO report a severe education crisis in Afghanistan, where over 90% of 10-year-old children cannot read a simple text. The system has been devastated since the Taliban takeover, with school closures, a lack of teachers, and curriculum limitations. A central issue is the ban on education for girls beyond the sixth grade, affecting approximately 2.2 million adolescent girls and female university students. Afghan girls and women are publicly urging the Taliban regime to allow them to return to schools and universities to fulfill their dreams and roles in society.

Key Points: Afghanistan Education Crisis: 90% of 10-Year-Olds Can't Read

  • 90% of 10-year-olds can't read
  • 2.2 million adolescent girls out of school
  • Taliban ban on girls' education beyond grade 6
  • System crippled by closures and lack of teachers
  • Students urge Taliban to reopen schools
3 min read

Protect right to education in Afghanistan, urge UN agencies

UN reports over 90% of Afghan 10-year-olds are illiterate, with 2.2 million girls barred from school since the Taliban takeover. Learn about the crisis.

"We girls also want to play an active and constructive role in society, just like our brothers. - Madina Ahmadi"

Kabul, Jan 27

The United Nations Children's Fund stated on Tuesday that over 90 per cent of 10-year-old children in Afghanistan cannot read a simple text. It warned that education system in Afghanistan is at a critical point, with children not even receiving basic learning, the local media reported.

Citing UNICEF, Afghanistan's leading news agency Khaama Press reported that more than 90 per cent of 10-year-olds cannot read a simple text, reflecting a crisis of schooling without learning. It mentioned that the education system in Afghanistan has been severely impacted by school closures, lack of qualified teachers and curriculum limitations since Taliban seized power on August 15, 2021.

According to the UNICEF and UNESCO report, approximately 2.2 million adolescent girls do not have access to school. UNICEF stressed that continuous investment in early education, literacy and numeracy is needed to ensure that all children are successful and escape generational illiteracy. The organisation warned that the crisis will continue in Afghanistan if reforms are not made, Khaama Press reported.

On January 24, girls above sixth grade and female university students urged the Taliban regime to allow them to study in schools and universities in the coming academic year, local media reported.

Since seizing power in August 2021, Taliban has imposed a ban on girls' education beyond the sixth class. Later in the same year, Taliban ordered public and private universities to halt the education of girls and women until further notice. However, Taliban officials said that girls will be allowed to study after conditions are conducive.

Speaking to Pajhwok Afghan News, Madina Ahmadi, a resident of Kabul, said, "It has been four years since we were deprived of going to school. Four years ago, I was studying in eighth grade and always dreamed of finishing school and taking the Kankor entrance exam."

She urged Taliban to reopen schools for girls. "My request from the Islamic Emirate is that, while observing Islamic principles and hijab, they allow us to return to school. We girls also want to play an active and constructive role in society, just like our brothers," Pajhwok Afghan News quoted Ahmadi as saying.

Salma, a resident of Kabul's Deh Mazang said, "Four years ago, when the Islamic Emirate took control, I was a ninth-grade student at Rakhshana High School. If we had not been banned from attending school, I would have graduated by now." She voiced concern over being denied access to education and urged Taliban to reopen schools for girls above sixth grade.

Saeedia Masoodzada, a resident of Kabul's Taimani, stated, "When girls were banned from educational institutions, I was a second-year student at the Faculty of Economics at Kabul University. Unfortunately, I am still confined to my home, and there is no news about the resumption of our classes."

- IANS

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Reader Comments

A
Aman W
Over 90% of 10-year-olds can't read? That's a national tragedy in the making. Forget development, how will they even function? The Taliban's policies are destroying the future of Afghanistan. The international community needs to apply more pressure.
S
Sarah B
As an educator, this report is devastating. The lack of qualified teachers and a proper curriculum is a disaster. It's not just about opening schools, it's about the quality of learning. UNICEF is right—investment in early education is critical. This should be a global priority.
R
Rohit P
The courage of those girls speaking out is inspiring. "We want to play an active role like our brothers" – that says it all. It's 2024. How can anyone justify this? The "conditions are conducive" line from Taliban officials is just an excuse for indefinite delay. 😔
K
Karthik V
While the situation is terrible, we must also be careful. Direct criticism of the Taliban regime from outside hasn't worked well. Maybe regional diplomacy, involving countries that have some influence, could be more effective? Just a thought. The focus must be on helping those children.
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Nisha Z
Imagine being confined to your home for years after being a university student. My heart breaks for Saeedia and Salma. Their potential is being wasted. Education is not a privilege, it's a right. The UN agencies need to do more than just urge—they need concrete action plans.

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