Afghanistan continues to face one of the most severe education crises in the world. Years of conflict, poverty, displacement, economic shocks, natural disasters, and social barriers have significantly reduced access to quality education, particularly among vulnerable and marginalized populations. Millions of Afghan children remain out of school, while many who attend school face poor learning outcomes, lack of educational materials, limited learning environments, and inadequate protection support systems.
Recent assessments indicate that more than 2.13 million primary school-aged children remain out of school, while over 90 percent of children aged ten are unable to read and understand a simple text, reflecting a severe learning crisis. Children from internally displaced families, returnee households, and vulnerable communities face even greater barriers to education due to poverty, child labor risks, psychological stress, protection concerns, and lack of safe learning spaces. These challenges have placed children at increased risk of exploitation, neglect, early labor involvement, and long-term social exclusion.
STFO recognizes education as a fundamental right and a critical pathway toward resilience, protection, and sustainable development. Beyond learning outcomes, education serves as a protective mechanism that creates safe environments, promotes psychosocial well-being, strengthens social cohesion, and provides children with opportunities for future self-reliance.