Education is the only tool that transforms the darkness of society into a vivid future and saves people from misery. Afghanistan, whose people have lived in the war for years and is still in the throes of war, needs more education than anything else.
Unfortunately, the education system in Afghanistan is unfair and unbalanced. The education system varies from region to region. In some areas, school-children study under the sky, and the schools do not even have classrooms and enclosures. In some areas, school teachers are 12th passed. On the contrary, in urban schools, we have even master teachers.
On the other hand, urban schools have all the facilities for students, they have access to modern education, professional teachers, and specialized centres for English and computer education. The schools have science facilities, 24/7 electricity, internet, stationery, and standard libraries.
However, when it comes time for school graduates to pursue higher education, in both areas school graduates are required to take an entrance exam it is called the Kankor’s exam.
Lack of Education and Unemployment
Those Students who are graduating from schools in war-torn areas and urban areas have to find their way to higher education through the same and the only entrance test to higher education, isn’t that an unfair system? Isn’t that inequality and injustice?
That is, our society develops unfairly, this unbalanced development pushes our society towards instability in the future and does not allow us to develop stabile.
This problem also leads to unemployment and war in our country. Students from remote areas who do not have access to standard education and cannot find their way to higher education in Kankor Exam remain unemployed and face war due to unemployment and poverty.
According to statistics, (210,000) school graduates participated in the Kankor Entrance Exam last year, (146922) of them passed the exam successfully. (75,000) of them have found their way to higher education and the rest have been referred to Madrasa’s and institutes. (VOA Report).
According to the above statistics, in the 2020 Kankor entrance test (63078) people failed and remained deprived of public higher education. Students who fail in the Kankor exam with good economic status are pursuing higher studies in private higher education institutions and universities or studying abroad through scholarships.
The Unfair Educational Statistics in Afghanistan
In addition, to public universities, there are large numbers of private universities in Afghanistan. According to statistics, there are currently 130 private universities and 38 public educational institutions. They equally have about (450,000) students, 27% of whom are girls and engaged in learning. (Pajhwok Afghan News)
According to the Afghan Ministry of Higher Education, (3,875) students are currently studying abroad for bachelor’s degrees. Whereas, (2,056) for master’s degrees and 358 for doctorates. (VOA Ashna TV Report)
Consequently, multiple questions come to mind. What if young do not succeed in higher education through Kankor? Or, for those who are not able to study in private higher education institutions and who cannot get scholarships to study in foreign universities, what is the solution for him?
Inevitably, these students will remain unemployed and will not find their way to higher education. Subsequently, this will hinder the balanced development of Afghanistan in the future.
According to the Afghan National Statistics Office, (304,189) people are currently employed by the Afghan government. 70 per cent of them (226,683) have less than a bachelor’s degree and (88487) of them have bachelor’s degrees. (9042) of these employees are masters and only 408 of them have doctorates. (Afghanistan National Statistics Agency Report)
Sustainable Development is Necessary for Peace and Stability
Afghanistan will have a bright future. However, only if the education system is fair and people in remote areas have access to modern education.
Suggestions to Overcome the Unfair Education System:
- The Afghan government should provide quality education to students in remote areas. Such as schools should be divided into grades and a special quota should be set aside for students from remote areas in Kankor Exam.
- The Ministry of Education should distribute teaching materials fairly in all parts of the country. They should also develop a single standard curriculum for all schools around the country. Simultaneously, they should provide vocational training for school teachers.
- Civil society, educational institutions and international charities should provide modern educational opportunities for young people in remote areas.
- Countries in the region should provide educational opportunities for Afghan youth and Increase the number of scholarships. The sustainable development of Afghanistan means the sustainable development of the region.
- The sustainable development of countries is very important for the United Nations. Hence, it has invested billions of dollars in this area over the past few years. In order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (end extreme poverty; fight inequality and injustice), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) must pay special attention to educational institutions in Afghanistan and provide educational opportunities for Afghan youth.
- Afghanistan’s private educational institutions should provide free and semi-free educational scholarships to poor youth.
