Supporting Afghan Girls and Boys to Access Safe Schools

Paktika Province, situated in the southeastern region of Afghanistan, covers an area of 19,336 square kilometers and is divided into 19 districts. The provincial capital is Sharana, which has a population of approximately 54,416 inhabitants. The overall population of Paktika is around 809,772, with about 99% residing in rural districts and 1% in urban areas. Establishing essential infrastructure, including education, water and sanitation, energy, transport, and communications, is vital for supporting private sector growth, promoting equitable economic development, generating more employment opportunities, and enhancing agricultural productivity.
8.7m people are in need of Education, 1.5, girls and 1.6m boys, 108k who has the disability rural areas present higher needs as compared to urban areas. Given the lack of public education infrastructure in rural areas, particularly areas which have been historically underserved or have compounding factors such as incidence of natural disaster (i.e., Paktika). Government school enrolment varies from 38% to 100%. Barriers to Education Access in Paktika Province including Insecurity Barriers to education access range from 5% to 18% in different districts. Challenges include schools being too far, affecting 8% to 50% of the population in different districts in Paktika province. The shortage of female teachers is severe, ranging from 77% to 100% in Paktika province.
A recent report by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) highlights a concerning education scenario in Afghanistan. The conflict, pervasive poverty, and gender-based discrimination, particularly against girls, have led to nearly 3.7 million Afghan children being deprived of education. According to UNICEF, this figure accounts for almost half of all children aged between seven and 17, marking the first increase in the out-of-school rate since 2002. Notably, 60% of those denied an education are girls, exacerbating gender-based disparities. In severely affected provinces like Kandahar, Helmand, Wardak, Paktika, Zabul, and Uruzgan, up to 85% of girls are not attending school.
Constructing schools in Paktika Province would significantly enhance access to education, particularly in rural and remote areas. This access is vital for empowering individuals with knowledge, skills, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. Moreover, building schools would combat gender-based discrimination, encouraging girls to pursue education and thus promoting gender equality within the province. List and locations of schools that ARDHO is constructing in cooperation with UNICEF in Paktika province:

The Seven Schools Project contributes to the improvement of the overall situation in Paktika province by:

• 1- Increasing access to education, especially for girls, through the construction of safe and functional school buildings.
• 2- Enhancing the quality of education by providing training to teachers, ultimately improving learning outcomes for students.
• 3- Fostering a culture of education within the community, encouraging enrollment and reducing barriers to education, especially for Afghan girls.
• 4- Promoting sustainable development and social cohesion by addressing educational disparities and fostering a more inclusive society.

This project significantly contributes to the Paktika province educational landscape, working towards a future where all children, irrespective of gender or location, have equal access to quality education, ultimately leading to a more educated and empowered society in Paktika province.