If a strong educational system is key to a country's success, there is every reason to worry about Afghanistan's future. Decimated by decades of war, Afghanistan has one of the world's lowest literacy rates. According to UN estimates, 90% of women, and 63% of men in rural areas are illiterate. With most Afghans living in rural villages, improving these numbers is a daunting challenge.
Afghanistan: Education in Peril
Published September 11, 2009
Three decades of war and internal conflict has left an indelible mark on the fabric of Afghan society. Nowhere is this more evident than Afghanistan's educational system. Here, the success or failure of the country's schools will have tremendous impact on its future.
Video by Shaun McCanna, Flamingo Productions
Produced in association with the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting
Began airing on Foreign Exchange September 11, 2009
This lesson investigates the dangers and daily challenges faced by many Afghan students, teachers, and schools.
The Pulitzer Center is presenting five panel discussions February 22-26, featuring Pulitzer Center journalists who have reported from Afghanistan.
Grantee
Shaun McCanna is an independent documentary filmmaker and freelance journalist. He has been working in Afghanistan the past three years, and his reporting stems from research conducted for his...
