| Work Detail |
The recent forced return of over 540,000 Afghans from Pakistan has left thousands of children in need of educational support. Many of the returning children are now out of school and face significant barriers to accessing education in Afghanistan, where resources are already stretched thin.
The sudden repatriation meant that many children were unable to secure their educational records. Now, to continue their schooling in Afghanistan, they require both their previous school documents and a Tazkira, the Afghan national ID document, which many lack due to prolonged displacement or having been born in Pakistan.
In Afghanistan’s northern Kunduz province, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) interviewed 313 families who had recently returned from Pakistan. Over two thirds (237 families) reported that their children were not attending school.
“I would love to resume my education”
At just 12 years old, Madinas life has been one of transitions and upheavals. In Karachi, Pakistan, her family had to leave their home and make the arduous journey to Afghanistans Kunduz province, following the announcement by the Pakistani government.
Madina recalls the challenging seven-day trek to cross the Torkham border into Afghanistan, a time marked by cold nights and the added worry for her sick brother. "We were not able to bring all our belongings," she says, reflecting on the swift departure that left them with few belongings.
Now living in a house provided temporarily by relatives in the Chardara district, Madina confronts a new set of challenges. "I was in grade five while in Pakistan," she shares. But since arriving in Afghanistan, she has been unable to continue her education.
The absence of a girls school in her area, coupled with the lack of documentation necessary for enrolment, has put her educational aspirations on hold. And without a school bag, books, notebooks, or even a pen, even the tools for learning are beyond her reach.
Yet despite these obstacles, Madinas love for learning remains undiminished. "I love going to school and would love to resume my education," she asserts. Her dreams are clear: to become a doctor or a teacher, so that she can give back to her community and make a difference.
“My goal is to pursue a career in medicine” Robina, 14, is a young student who recently returned to Mazar-e Sharif, Afghanistan after being born and raised in Pakistan. She shares her story of resilience and hope amidst adversity.
Some 45 years ago, her family relocated to Pakistan, where she grew up with five brothers and six sisters. Education is valued in her family, and seven of her siblings attended school in Pakistan.
However, when the family returned to Afghanistan eight months ago, Robina faced a stark reality. Despite completing sixth grade and being ready to continue her education, she learned that girls in the seventh grade were not permitted to attend school.
“Given that attending school isnt an option for me, Ive registered at a Madrassa [a religious school] to spend some time outside the house. There, Im pursuing religious studies,” she says.
Robinas aspirations extend beyond her current circumstances. She dreams of a future where education is accessible to all girls, allowing them to contribute meaningfully to society. Her ambition is to become a doctor.
“I want to become a doctor in the future because a female doctor is needed for female patients in Afghanistan,” she says.
Through her story, Robina voices a powerful plea to the global community: “I ask the world to provide the opportunity for all girls to go back to school so that they can serve their society in the future.”
“I want to register for the first grade” As a returnee from Iran to Afghanistan, eight-year-old Rahmatullah has witnessed more of lifes challenges than many his age.
"We returned to Afghanistan from Iran almost a year ago," he says. The loss of his father three years ago left a void in his family, which includes one sister and two brothers.
Despite the hardships, Rahmatullah harbours a dream. "I want to register for the first grade at school for next year," he says. But the path to education is not an easy one, with school a 30-minute walk from his home.
His familys living situation is modest. They share a rented house with another family and manage to pay the rent of 1500 AFN (around USD 22) each month. Yet the means to pursue his education are lacking.
Every child deserves education Khalid Omar is an education team leader with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in Kunduz. He believes that education is a fundamental right and crucial for childrens survival, especially in Afghanistan, which has suffered from prolonged conflict.
“The recent large number of returnees from Pakistan, including around 11,200 families in Kunduz, has intensified the need for education in this province,” he says.
NRC has found that most returnee children were attending school in Pakistan but now face educational uncertainty. Many are currently out of school, awaiting educational opportunities. The situation demands a robust response.
“NRC is committed to delivering community-based, flexible, non-formal education, even amidst challenges, to support these childrens right to learn,” says Omar. |
