U N I T E D  N A T I O N S
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Integrated Regional Information Network
Afghanistan: Back to school rush spawns further aid needs
16 July 2002


ISLAMABAD, 16 July (IRIN) - The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is
looking for long-term international support to run its programmes in
Afghanistan, following an overwhelming response to its back-to-school
campaign launched in March.

An ongoing comprehensive survey on education carried out by UNICEF and
Afghanistan's ministry of education reveals that an estimated three
million children are attending schools across the country - much higher
than the planned figure of 1.8 million.

"In terms of our message to the international community, we are looking
for long-term support to support this large bubble of children going
through different classes," UNICEF spokesman Edward Carwardine told IRIN
on Tuesday from the Afghan capital, Kabul.

While the survey, launched in May, is expected to conclude before the
September term begins, it already shows that nearly 1.25 million children
are now attending school in 20 of Afghanistan's 32 provinces. Of these
nearly 30 percent are girls. "The gender balance is very promising,"
Carwardine added.

Once completed, however, the survey is expected to show that nearly three
million children are attending school now; a large number for the first
time in their lives.

The survey is also helping the Afghan authorities and UNICEF to assess
physical needs like school space, the number of required teachers, as well
as additional material requirements to continue with this education.

Carwardine said many families who had just returned from Pakistan said
they would be sending their girls to school next year in March and UNICEF
was expecting even greater school enrolment then.

According to the most recent needs assessment by the UN Assistance Mission
in Afghanistan (UNAMA), total requirements for education and vocational
training in the country is approximately US $100 million, of which only US
$44 million has been committed so far.


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