Education Program
The Learning Crisis in Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s education system has been devastated by decades of war, political instability, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The collapse of social and economic structures has left millions of children without access to safe, quality education. With livelihoods threatened, families are forced to prioritize survival over schooling, pushing education further out of reach for the most vulnerable.
Children: Victims of Poverty and Conflict
Children are among the biggest victims of endemic poverty in Afghanistan. Every day, tens of thousands—including those orphaned by conflict—roam the streets, begging or working to support their families. According to Save the Children, an estimated one million Afghan children are engaged in child labor, sacrificing their futures for immediate survival.
Education Access: A Deepening Divide
While primary schools have reopened in many areas, especially rural regions where security has improved, the situation remains dire for older children—particularly girls. Secondary schools remain closed to girls aged 12 and above, with no clear timeline for reopening. A recent analysis by Save the Children, UNICEF, and Education Cluster partners reveals that 850,000 out of 1.1 million secondary school-aged girls are not attending classes. For many children, especially girls, going to school remains a distant dream.
Barriers to Learning
Several factors continue to hinder education access: • Gender-based restrictions: Girls are banned from secondary and higher education. • Economic hardship: Families cannot afford school-related costs. • Child labor: Children are forced to work instead of attending school. • Displacement: Returnee children face documentation and language barriers.
BRD’s Response Strategy and Key Interventions
Bureau for Development (BRD) is actively working to address the education crisis in Afghanistan through a range of targeted initiatives. Each initiative is designed to support disadvantaged children and ensure access to quality education despite the ongoing humanitarian challenges.
We Provide Access To Education for Disadvantaged Children
BRD supports disadvantaged children—especially girls—by improving access to education in underserved and remote areas. This includes:
- Establishing temporary learning spaces.
- Providing school supplies and learning materials.
- Supporting community-based education programs where formal schooling is inaccessible.
We Provide Economic Support to Keep Children in School
Recognizing that poverty is a major barrier to education, BRD offers economic assistance to families to reduce the pressure on children to work. This includes:
- Conditional cash transfers linked to school attendance.
- Vocational training for older children to support family income while continuing education.
We ProvideTeacher and Community Training
BRD trains teachers and community education committees (shuras) to improve the quality of education and ensure local ownership. These efforts help sustain learning environments and promote inclusive education practices.
Emergency Education Support
In response to the humanitarian crisis, BRD delivers emergency education services to children affected by displacement, conflict, and natural disasters. This includes: i. Rapid deployment of mobile education units. ii. Psycho-social support integrated into learning programs. iii. Outreach to returnee populations facing barriers to school enrollment.
Our Commitment
What we care for
BRD’s mission is to restore hope and opportunity by enabling children to learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully to their communities and country. With your support, we can ensure that education remains a right—not a privilege—for every Afghan child.