Student Voice: Improving Education for Children in Afghanistan

By Zara Afridi
Staff Writer | The Pacific Times

The millions of Afghan children in Afghanistan today face one of the worst chances of survival of anywhere in the world. Their rights are blatantly and egregiously disregarded and infringed upon. Many of them never get to see the inside of a classroom.

“3.7 million of school-age children are out of school in which 60% of them are girls and most of them are engaged in child labor instead,” according to UNICEF.

This fact shows that children, especially girls, are being forced to work at home or get married instead of going to school. They have the right to be equal just like everyone else and it is not fair for them to not get an education.

“A girl’s education is not only a moral imperative but an economic necessity,” said UNICEF.

This sexualizes young girls because girls should not get married very early. Girls in Afghanistan probably have the idea of getting married young, working at home doing chores all day and not going to school is the way of life and how life for girls in Afghanistan should be. They need to have the idea that girls ARE allowed to go to school, get an education and have the ability to choose what they want to pursue in life. Most importantly, they need to know they have rights.

“Afghanistan’s education system has been devastated by more than three decades of sustained conflict. For many of the country’s children, completing primary school remains a distant dream – especially in rural areas and for girls – despite recent progress in raising enrollment. In the poorest and remote areas of the country, enrollment levels vary extensively and girls still lack equal access,” added UNICEF.

Afghanistan has been controlled by the Taliban for many years. The Taliban uses force and fear to implement power over Afghan citizens. The US cannot let the Taliban dictate these kids’ lives and take away their opportunities. We shouldn’t let them tell us what to do and tell the children of Afghanistan what to do. Together, we can be stronger and more powerful.

The ECW (Education Cannot Wait) organization is currently working with Afghanistan to launch a three-year resilience program on Feb. 20 to reach the most vulnerable children and make education their right and lifestyle according to UNICEF.

UNICEF works with the Ministry of Education and other partners to improve the quality of education, build better education systems and support environments that are conducive to learning and development.

UNICEF of Afghanistan is currently helping to get these kids their rights, go to school and make an education possible.

“A strong education system is key to getting more children in school, keeping them there, and helping them to become healthy and responsible citizens. Working at the national, provincial, community levels in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education and other partners, our support focuses on the most vulnerable people in disadvantaged areas, particularly girls, to combat the lack of learning caused by poverty, discrimination and conflict,” said UNICEF.

Education is necessary for a child’s success. Access to education is a right that should not and cannot be infringed upon. Education prepares you for the real world, for the future. It helps you grow and be powerful with everything you are taught and know. Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” I definitely agree with that because education is always an important skill to have in life no matter where you are in the world. Education is the spine of our lives and the foundation of our futures. Without an education, we cannot seek more knowledge, our world would never grow and technology would remain at a standstill.

To help make a difference in these children’s lives, you can donate at https://www.unicef.org/afghanistan/take-action.