Back to school rush spawns further aid needs

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is looking for long-term international support to run its programmes in Afghanistan, following an overwhelming response to its back-to-school campaign launched in March. An ongoing comprehensive survey on education carried out by UNICEF and Afghanistan's ministry of education reveals that an estimated three million children are attending schools across the country - much higher than the planned figure of 1.8 million. "In terms of our message to the international community, we are looking for long-term support to support this large bubble of children going through different classes," UNICEF spokesman Edward Carwardine told IRIN on Tuesday from the Afghan capital, Kabul. While the survey, launched in May, is expected to conclude before the September term begins, it already shows that nearly 1.25 million children are now attending school in 20 of Afghanistan's 32 provinces. Of these nearly 30 percent are girls. "The gender balance is very promising," Carwardine added. Once completed, however, the survey is expected to show that nearly three million children are attending school now; a large number for the first time in their lives. The survey is also helping the Afghan authorities and UNICEF to assess physical needs like school space, the number of required teachers, as well as additional material requirements to continue with this education. Carwardine said many families who had just returned from Pakistan said they would be sending their girls to school next year in March and UNICEF was expecting even greater school enrolment then. According to the most recent needs assessment by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), total requirements for education and vocational training in the country is approximately US $100 million, of which only US $44 million has been committed so far.