The UNICEF said in a statement: “As the lead agency for the education cluster in Afghanistan, UNICEF is deeply concerned by reports that over 500,000 children, including over 300,000 girls, could lose out on quality learning through Community Based Education within a month if international non-governmental organizations working in the field of education are no longer allowed to operate and if handovers to national NGOs are done without comprehensive assessment and capacity building.”

The organization urges the “de facto authorities” to place the best interests of the child at the heart of all decision-making and reiterates that every child has the right to learn.

TOLOnews reached out to an education-supporting organization. 

“We are concerned that if these NGOs stop their operations, the education for the children in Afghanistan will be lost forever,” said Fazal Saberi, head of an NGOs. 

“Such suspension of (NGOs) operations will damage the education of Afghanistan and the Afghan children will be vulnerable,” said Suraya Paikan, a women’s rights activist. 

This comes as female students urged the Islamic Emirate to reopen schools for girls in grades 7-12. 

“All of the girls had the dreams to become a doctor, engineer or a teacher for themselves, their family, and their society but since the schools have been closed, we cannot reach our dreams,” said Sitara, a student. 

“We cannot go to the schools, so I call for the reopening of our schools,” said Bahara, a student. 

This comes as reportedly dozens of education- supporting organizations have been closed across the country.