Figures by the Ministry of Education reveal that at least 7,000 schools in the country remain without buildings in Afghanistan as demand for schools rapidly grows due to increase in population and return of Afghan refugees from other countries. 

 At least 13,000 schools have been built in the country since 2001, according to the ministry. 

“With the rapid growth of population in Afghanistan and repatriation of refugees from other countries, of course, our need for schools grows,” said Nooria Nuzhat, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Education. 

Students who study in open air due to lack of school buildings said education is difficult for them. Herat is one of the provinces in the west where children are learning in the open air. 

 “We don’t have school building. We have no option but to study in the open air both in the summer and winter,” said Wahid Ahmad, a student in Herat. 

 “Most students fall sick. Some of them left schools because of these problems,” said Noorullah, a student. 

 The Afghan government pledged two years ago to build 6,000 new schools across the country, but the project is yet to be completed. 

  “The government is working on a major project to build 6,000 schools within the next few years,” presidential spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said.