KABUL - Ahmad Zia Massoud, the president's special representative on reforms and good governance said at a meeting on Saturday that the educational system of the country does not meet the needs of students.
Massoud had been speaking at a meeting on the "assessment of challenges in the way of bringing reforms in the education sector" and said in the past 15 years the education system has not developed enough and that it should be reviewed.
"Our education has grown well by quantity. But according to quality there are not many changes. Still principles that used to be used 50 years ago are used and it is difficult to bring changes by following these old principles. Why we do we not believe in changes," Massoud said.
Officials from the Ministry of Education and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) also attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, Danilo Paddila, deputy of UNESCO said the organization will continue to help with the education system in Afghanistan.
"Despite strong efforts, continued attention is needed to expand access to schooling and improving the quality of education, especially for women and girls in rural communities. Among the challenges facing the education sector in the country, we could mention the lack of deficiency, in particular those pertaining to the quality of education. Which is key to inform policy and education financing," Paddila said.
Findings of a study carried out by Massoud's office shows that insecurity, complicated administrative systems, the lack of budget, negligence of MoE officials and low capacity are the most serious challenges in the way of bringing reforms to the education system.
MoE also confirmed that the educational system does not meet the current needs.
"Our leaders know the value of education, but security, economic and political issues are the reasons that the education system has not improved as it should have," said Mohammad Ibrahim Shinwari deputy minister of MoE.
Currently 9.3 million students are enrolled in schools among whom 3.5 million are girls.  (Tolonews)