Education in Afghanistan: Opportunity in Peril
Three decades of war and internal conflict has left an indelible mark on the fabric of Afghan society. Nowhere is this more evident than Afghanistan’s educational system. Here, the success or failure of the country’s schools will have tremendous impact on its future.
Video by Shaun McCanna, Flamingo Productions
Produced in association with the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting
Tags: Afghanistan, education, Fragile States
Do the schools have enough school supplies such as paper? How do students take tests when there are so many in one classroom?
Hi Cassie,
Sadly the lack of resources limits what teachers can do in the classroom. Because many students are unable to afford paper and pencils, and most schools have a limited number of textbooks, student progress is not primarily measured through test taking, homework assignments, and the various ways we are familiar with here. Instead, greater emphasis is placed on participation during class, with students solving math problems on the chalkboard, or reading aloud in front of the class. The Ministry of Education hopes that over the next decade enough schools will be built to ease overcrowding, and that more textbooks and resources will become available. But for now they are just happy they can offer so many children, particularly girls, an opportunity to attend class, even if what students can accomplish while there is limited.
Best,
Shaun