Education, for a nation, is of paramount significance – this should not be debatable anymore. With rapid developments in education sector, it is very difficult to imagine children without basic education. However, that is more of a trend within modern and developed nations. While, within backward nations of the world, like that of Afghanistan, the fruits of modern education do not reach to millions of people. This has resulted in heightened level of ignorance and suffering for the nation as a whole.
Almost on daily basis, there are reports regarding facts and figures in different parts of Afghanistan that depict the debilitated condition of education and educational institutions. One of such reports recently revealed that around 460 schools in Nangarhar province have no buildings for years now, which has compelled thousands of children to be taught out in the open, even in severe weather conditions.
Even in capital Kabul, the situation does not seem to be satisfactory as around 300 schools remain without building, as per statistics by Ministry of Education.
President Ghani, since the inception of his government, have made many promises; however, few of them have been fulfilled. Recently on March 25, he promised that about 6,000 school buildings will be built within next two years, and basic arrangements in this regard have already been made. Nevertheless, it is difficult to realize how the goal will be achieved, keeping in view the prevailing political insecurity and performance of the government. 
Government and relevant authorities need to realize that educational institutions shape our attitudes and prepare us for behaving in a certain manner in defined situation. They can supply us instruments by which we can realize our social goals. These goals and values are defined by the system of education prevalent in our society. Hence educational institutions socialize an individual into a useful member of society.
Educational institutions transmit our cultural values to the next generation. During the process of teaching, the teachers while teaching learn the socio-cultural norms themselves. They, themselves, are socialized first in the cultural ways of life. While teaching they add their own experiences in the knowledge that they received from their parents and teachers. They do not transmit the same without change. By adding their experiences, they make knowledge up-to-date and according to the requirements of the society. They, by transmitting the new knowledge, educate the new generation and thus brings social change.
Educational institutions also create social organization in society by harmonizing the attitudes, ideas, habits, customs, emotions and sentiments of the people. They develop homogeneity by developing general laws of social life. Different social groups are organized together by cooperation on common principles found in educational institutions. They can, thus, pave the way for social integration.
Educational institutions, schools in particular, support in selection of future occupation. They provide methods and ways to acquire information on various aspects of life. The individuals by this information select their professions that are most suitable for them. Moreover, the schools can have links with public and private institutions that can provide job opportunities to the students; therefore, as the students complete their education, the professional institutions reach to them and hire them for different positions.
Moreover, the interactions and gatherings that are organized in schools can support individuals in developing their personalities as well. By coming into contact with the people of different backgrounds and nature and different educational experiences, the students are able to add much in their knowledge and understanding, which they can use in their personality development. The same experiences can help them in living a positive life in other institutions, like family and society.
Schools can support our young generation, to a great extent, but there are certain problems in these institutions, in addition to the above-mentioned ones, that create obstacles in the way. Among them the most important one is poor standard of education. Our schools, unfortunately, are not developed on modern education system. The curricula that are taught to the pupils are mostly obsolete and do not have direct relation with the lives of the students. Moreover, the syllabi are designed to promote the culture of repetition and cramming. The concepts of investigation and inquisitiveness to learn are not nurtured. Similarly, there is no room for research and creativity.
Teachers on the other hand are not trained sufficiently. They are not sure about the teaching methodology that they use. In most of the schools, there is no such concept as teacher training. Teaching is a vast field and require proper training and skill development. Every person who can study well does not necessarily teach well. However, our schools do not keep in consideration such important issues. Therefore, the teachers who teach mostly use the methods that they consider to be correct. Mostly, they use force and violence, instead of motivational techniques.
The government has many responsibilities as far as the development and growth of schools are concerned. The government authorities must ensure that there should be ample schools that must satiate the thirst of students. There should be efforts to improve the standard of education, particularly, for the improvement of teaching method and teaching staff. Moreover, the government authorities are responsible to ensure that the students are provided favorable environment wherein they are not afraid to go to schools and pursue their education with dedication and motivation and become responsible citizens of the country.