Over Half a Million Girls Back to School in 2005: UN Says

Over half a million girls back to school in 2005: UN says

KABUL, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) — Under the support of the international community, over half a million Afghan girls have been back to school in 2005, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said Tuesday.

“Over half a million girls back to school in 2005. Support to the education sector in 2005 has seen 528,690 girls being newly enrolled in schools, 176,122 of these are in UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) -assisted community-based schools and 352, 568 in regular government primary schools,” it said in a news release.

“UNICEF supported the provision of student materials for some 4. 8 million pupils. 4,000 teachers began a new Teacher Education Program, providing quality in-service training,” it added.

“Over 100,000 children also benefited from improved classroom environments through UNICEF-assisted supplied classroom tents and the rehabilitation of schools. In addition over 9,000 non-formal school teachers were provided with Mine Risk Education training and materials, contributing towards a 10 percent reduction in mine- related incidents in Afghanistan,” it said.

The Afghan five-year educational plan has been launched by the Education Ministry as well as French institution and the UNESCO ( United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) office in Kabul with the aim of providing more facilities for schools and educational chances for students. An 18 member team composed of Afghan experts and two French specialists are to chart out the plan.

Education Minister Noor Mohammad Qarqin expressed his gratitude for the assistance of friendly countries and foreign assisting institutions to the Education Ministry.