Ana Rita's Presentation

Education in Afghanistan

Education in Afghanistan was improved during the reign of King Zahir Shah (1933-1973). Primary schools were made available to about half the population under twelve years of age. Improvements were made in the secondary school system and in the national university at Kabul. However, a high percentage of the population remained illiterate. There was also some controversy over textbooks. They passed on the message that all Afghan children should imitate Pashtuns. Their mode of dress and code of conduct was shown as entirely positive and deeds of Pashtun rulers were shown in a positive light. The structure of Afghan society shown in textbooks was pyramidal. Male Pashtuns were at the top, then other male Sunnis, Shi’ites and, at the bottom, Hazaras. Women were rarely mentioned and, if so, only Pashtuns.

The Soviet war in Afghanistan destroyed the education system. Many teachers left the country due to the war and in the 1900s there were only 650 schools left. The photo (see powerpoint) shows Afghan resistance fighters returning to a village destroyed by Soviet forces.

During the Taliban regime, schools were destroyed and education was denied to women. The madrassa (mosque school) became the basis for primary and secondary education. The photo (see powerpoint) shows a security guard walking through a destroyed girls’ school. The Taliban claimed that girls’ education is unislamic.

After the overthrow of the Taliban in 2001 Afghanistan received international aid to rehabilitate the education system. Public school curricula still include religious subjects, but their instruction is left to religion teachers. In 2003 about 57% of men and 86% of women were still illiterate. Modern-style schools were built.

Nevertheless, there are still many problems as far as education in Afghanistan is concerned, such as the lack of funds. Afghanistan relies on external donors, which makes it difficult to predict the annual budget and, consequently, to plan school curricula. Education Minister Hanif Atmar said in 2007 60% of students were studying in tents – some Afghan parents don’t allow their daughters attend school in such conditions. Another problem is the lack of women teachers (only about one quarter) – parents don’t let their daughters be taught by men. Consequently, large percent of girls are not allowed to attend school.

Sources:
http://www.iranica.com/newsite/index.isc?Article=http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articles/unicode/v8f2/v8f207xxvii.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_afghanistan