According to UNICEF’s report dated September 6, by constructing and reconstructing 165 primary schools, approximately 33,000 children will have access to a safe learning environment.
This project, costing $25 million, includes the construction and reconstruction of classrooms, toilets and sanitation facilities, handwashing facilities, and boundary walls.
UNICEF emphasised that every child has the right to go to school and learn in a safe environment.
UNICEF has written to Japan’s Ambassador, expressing support for Afghanistani boys and girls to learn and grow in schools through the construction and reconstruction of classrooms and water and sanitation facilities.
Takashi Okada, Japan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, said that at least half of the government schools in Afghanistan lack sufficient classrooms, and 58% of them lack drinking water and sanitation facilities. On average, there is only one usable toilet for 249 students, and only 47% of schools have boundary walls.
He added that when children’s classrooms are safe, they gain the motivation to learn, and demand for school enrollment and completion increases.
Fran Equiza, UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan, stated that Japan’s support, especially at a time when Afghanistani children continue to face multiple barriers to their education, is noteworthy.
UNICEF reminded that Japan has consistently shown strong support for Afghanistani children, investing in improving safe water and sanitation in schools and teacher education programmes in the past three years, among other initiatives.
Additionally, UNICEF has supported the construction of water and sanitation facilities, vaccine procurement, improving children’s nutrition, and creating protective environments for children across the country.
