Kabul, Afghanistan — For many, the billions of dollars poured into Afghanistan's education system by the U.S. seemed like a beacon of hope. From 2002 to 2021, USAID allocated around $1.3 billion to educational projects, and the number of teachers increased sevenfold between 2001 and 2019. But for Sarahat, a high school principal in Kabul, these numbers ring hollow.
\"Although the U.S. claimed that they would rehabilitate education in Afghanistan,\" Sarahat explains, \"they actually destroyed it.\"
Despite the massive investments, literacy rates tell a different story. According to World Bank data, Afghanistan's adult literacy rate declined from 43% in 2018 to 37% in 2021. For young people aged 15 to 24, the rate dropped from 65% to 56% in the same period. 📉
The disconnect between the funds spent and the outcomes achieved raises questions about the effectiveness of foreign aid and its impact on the ground. Many students and educators feel left behind, wondering where the promised improvements went.
\"It's not just about money,\" says a teacher from Kabul who wished to remain anonymous. \"It's about understanding our needs and supporting us in a way that builds our future.\"
As Afghanistan's youth grapple with the challenges of accessing quality education, the hope for a brighter future lies in addressing the core issues rather than just the surface numbers.
Will the world listen to voices like Sarahat's and help rebuild the education system from the ground up? Only time will tell. ⏳
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Afghan high school principal: U.S. destroyed Afghan education
cgtn.com
