'Drought, Poverty Lead Children To Abandon School', IRIN News, 2 December 2008
EXCERPT: "Drought, poverty and lack of food have adversely affected the life of many children in Chemtal and elsewhere, forcing some to work instead of going to school. It is hard to estimate the number of children who have abandoned school to collect water and/or help feed their families, but local officials have reported a considerable drop in school attendance. 'The number of students has gradually declined…10-20 percent of the several hundred students have abandoned school because of drought,' said Enayatullah Sharaaf, head of Chemtal's education department. Mohammad Zahir Penhan, director of Balkh's education department, said most schools could be closed down in 2009 if the situation does not improve. Mohammad Zahir Penhan, director of Balkh's education department, said most schools could be closed down in 2009 if the situation does not improve. Life in Chemtal is hard. Both agriculture and animal husbandry - prime sources of income - have been badly affected by drought. Across the country thousands of livestock have perished over the past two years, and over 80 percent of rain-fed agricultural output had been lost this year owing to drought, the Ministry of Agriculture has said. "
To continue reading the article, click here.
See also:
'UN calls for more action to protect children', IRIN News, 3 December 2008
'More than 70 percent of Afghans below poverty line', Trend News, 2 December 2008
'Children at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS in Afghanistan', UNICEF, 1 December 2008
Related posts:
'Top UN official highlights plight of children', 3 July 2008
'School attendance plummets in Helmand', 15 May 2008
'Children must have access to education: UN envoy', 23 April 2008
'The general situation of children in Afghanistan', 21 April 2008
