September 7 2006

Welcome to Teachers' Corner, the UN Refugee Agency's (UNHCR) E-alert created for educators like you who are teaching about refugees, human rights and tolerance in the classroom. In this update:

1. Education for girls in Afghanistan: Hope for the future
2. News to use in the classroom
3. Free video on global refugee issues

Dear Educator,

1) Education for girls in Afghanistan: Hope for the future

Afghan returnee girls are able to continue the education they received in the camps in Pakistan. UNHCR/L.Slezic/Global Aware

"Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave," is a saying that reminds Marsal of her right to an education. Afghanistan has seen decades of war and strife and millions were forced from their homes. Girls, who were isolated from education during the rule of the Taliban regime, have particularly suffered from the bitter fighting.

For Marsal, education is the only bridge to bring positive change to her country.

Despite the Afghan Ministry of Education's efforts to improve the conditions in schools and remove barriers that prevent girls from going to school, there are still many challenges ahead. Inadequate school facilities, the lack of teaching materials, and the shortage of female teachers have undermined the education system.

Mrs. Malalia, a teacher in Kabul, says, "Education is the main pillar of a society and we are aware of its importance, but we need more teaching equipment in order to deliver better services."

Increasing security incidents have prevented thousands of children, especially girls, from attending classes throughout Afghanistan, particularly in the southern provinces where a Taliban-led insurgency is ongoing. More than 40 teachers, students and school employees have been killed by suspected militants, an intimidation tactic by insurgents to keep girls from attending school. Unfortunately, the attack on schools is on the rise as 99 cases have been reported so far this year, six times more than the number of attacks on educational centers in 2005.

"Besides providing better school facilities, we want the authorities to ensure security of schools and their staff, including the students, in order to allow us to have lessons," said Marsal while expressing concern about the attacks on schools.

Nearly five years after the fall of the Taliban in 2001, more than 4.5 million Afghan refugees have returned to rebuild their homeland and their lives. Education is key to children finding a sense of stability after the trauma of war and displacement. Afghan girls like Marsal are hopeful for a better future for themselves and their country through education. Of the 5.1 million children in school at the end of 2005, 1.5 million were girls.