April 01, 2021
The World Bank approved the provision of an additional $25 million in funding from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) to enhance equitable access to primary and secondary education in Afghanistan, predominantly for girls, the organization announced in a statement.
According to the statement, the new grant will assist in building 100 additional schools, further improving learning and access to education for girls, assisting teachers’ training, and encouraging community-based schooling.
“Afghanistan has made much progress in improving education in the last two decades, but 3.5 million children remain out of school, and half of the country’s schools still have minimal infrastructure,” said Henry Kerali, World Bank Country Director for Afghanistan. She further added that “This additional financing will help the Afghan government in creating a better learning environment and enrolling more children in schools.”
“Girls’ education is one of the smartest investments a country can make: it boosts economic growth, curbs infant mortality and improves child nutrition,” said Alice Albright, Chief Executive Officer of GPE.
The efforts made by international organizations in promoting education in the war-torn country are extremely significant, as education is the best tool to ensure lasting peace and development in the country.
© Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) and Afghan Studies Center (ASC), Islamabad.
