Afghanistan: Bombs and Threats Shut Down Schools

Insurgency, Weak International Response Hit Girls’ Education in Afghanistan

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Lessons in Terror
Attacks on Education in Afghanistan

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Glossary

I. Summary

Plight of the Education System
Sources and Impact of Insecurity
International and Afghan Response to Insecurity
Key Recommendations

II. Background: Afghanistan Since the Fall of the Taliban

The Taliban’s Ouster, the Bonn Process, and the Afghanistan Compact
Insecurity in Afghanistan
Education in Afghanistan and its Importance for Development

III. Attacks on Schools, Teachers, and Students

Who and Why
Attacks by Taliban and Warlords on Education in Southern and Southeastern Afghanistan

Kandahar City and Province
Helmand Province
Zabul Province
Ghazni Province
Paktia Province
Logar Province
Charkh District, Logar
Wardak Province
Laghman Province
Impact of Crime and Impunity on Education

IV. The Indirect Impact of Insecurity on Education

Insufficient Development Aid and Services
Shortage of Schools and Infrastructure
Shortage of Teachers
Low Quality of Education
Poverty
Negative Attitudes About Education

V. The Inadequate Response of the Afghan Government and its International Supporters to Attacks on Education

Failure to Monitor Attacks
Failure to Prevent and Respond to Attacks
Nationbuilding on the Cheap: the U.S.-led Coalition, ISAF, and Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs)

The Provincial Reconstruction Teams

VI. Legal Standards

The Right to Education
International Humanitarian Law and Attacks on Schools

VII. Recommendations

Acknowledgments

Chart: Attacks on Teachers, Students, and Schools in Afghanistan
Download chart as a pdf file (16 pages, 97 kb)

July 2006   Volume 18, Number 6(C)