The European Union marked International Day of Education on Saturday by reaffirming that access to quality education for all people in Afghanistan is a “fundamental right,” the bloc’s delegation in Kabul said.
In a statement, the EU said it has invested in a range of education programs in cooperation with international organisations to ensure that no child is deprived of learning opportunities.
The EU said it has allocated 6 million euros to improve access to safe, gender-responsive and quality education, with a focus on vulnerable groups including out-of-school children, girls and children with disabilities.
It has also committed 4.7 million euros through UNESCO to provide literacy and vocational skills training to 7,500 youths and adults in five provinces, the statement said.
“By integrating parental education, we support the holistic development of the next generation,” the EU mission said.
Separately, the EU said it has spent 20 million euros through the United Nations World Food Program to support school feeding program, helping to sustain school attendance for both girls and boys, improve nutrition and ease pressure on families during economic hardship.
The bloc has also channelled 25 million euros through UNICEF to help ensure that public schools remain safe and supportive learning environments.
International Day of Education is observed globally on Jan. 24, following a designation by the United Nations General Assembly to highlight the role of education in peace, sustainable development and equal access to quality learning.
