UN Aid Office Warns of Widespread Barriers to Children’s Education in Afghanistan

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on World Literacy Day that children in Afghanistan still face widespread barriers to learning and access to education.

In a message marking the occasion, OCHA said: “For children in Afghanistan, there are many obstacles to learning.” The agency stressed that continued investment in education is essential to preserve learning opportunities and create the conditions for children’s growth and progress.

According to OCHA, literacy opens the door to knowledge, opportunities and a secure future. It added that without sustained support for education, children are deprived of opportunities that could change their future.

OCHA also underlined the need to preserve educational opportunities for all children, saying every child should have the chance to grow and progress. This comes as access to education and learning opportunities in Afghanistan remains challenging for many children.

Literacy is considered one of the fundamental pillars of education and social development. The ability to read and write helps children and adults access information, benefit from educational and economic opportunities, and play a more active role in society.