More than 500 schools in Afghanistan’s northern provinces of Balkh and Baghlan remain without proper buildings, compelling thousands of students to study outdoors in extreme weather conditions, local sources report.
According to Afghan media, officials from the Balkh Department of Education have revealed that out of 600 operational schools in the province, 223 either lack buildings entirely or operate in structures that are no longer usable. In several districts, classes are being held in rented houses or makeshift tents, leaving students and teachers exposed to severe cold in winter and unbearable heat in summer.
Both students and educators have expressed deep concern over the situation, urging the government and international aid organisations to prioritise the construction of proper school facilities.
Similarly, the Baghlan Department of Education reports that out of 550 schools across the province, 219 are currently functioning without any buildings. The lack of educational infrastructure in both provinces has reached alarming levels and demands urgent intervention.
Local education authorities and civil society groups have appealed for immediate support to rebuild and equip schools in the region, emphasizing that without swift action, the prospects of future generations will remain under threat.
