Nearly half of Afghanistan’s children are not attending school because of worsening security, poverty and sex discrimination, according to a new UN report Sunday. Girls remain more likely to miss out on a formal education, making up 60 percent of the 3.7 million children aged between seven and 17 not at school. Those children most at risk often live in rural areas and face displacement, insecurity and a lack of schooling facilities. “When children are not in school, they are at an increased danger of abuse, exploitation and recruitment.”While the numbers are worrying, the study also noted some progress. It said school dropout rates are low in comparison to neighbouring countries such as Pakistan and Nepal, with some 85 per cent of Afghan boys and girls who start primary school going on to complete the last grade.

Source: The Guardian June 03, 2018 09:45 UTC