Girls' Education for the future

The education system in Afghanistan was severely compromised, and especially for girls, by three decades of war and the years of Taliban rule. Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) - Afghanistan works with communities and government... [ view full abstract ]

The education system in Afghanistan was severely compromised, and especially for girls, by three decades of war and the years of Taliban rule. Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) - Afghanistan works with communities and government authorities to build sustainable improvements in education for disadvantaged children, with a particular focus on girls and women.
From 2008 AKF has supported 216 remote government schools in Badakhshan, Baghlan and Bamyan provinces. Nearly 4,000 teachers benefitted from training and in-class mentoring, parent-teacher-student associations were supported, and physical improvements made to schools. Six ‘model’ schools for girls concentrated interventions to catalyse and demonstrate successful approaches. A community-managed flexible response fund allowed responses to specific locally identified issues and needs e.g. providing transport support for female teachers and students . Community-based classes, Early Childhood Development centres, and women’s literacy classes complemented work in schools.
Between 2009 and 2013 enrolment in schools in the three provinces increased by 28%; AKF-supported schools accounted for nearly half the increase, although representing a quarter of schools. Secondary enrolment in supported schools increased by 94%; for girls the increase was over 140%. The number of girls graduating from supported schools increased tenfold , compared with a threefold increase in other schools. Some 600 female graduates are now teaching in schools in their localities. Solid community and government support have been central.
The paper will draw out the integral connection between gender equality and education. The critical role of female education to individual, family, community and national socio-economic development .