Under its 2nd strategic goal Cooperation for Social Improvement Organization - CSIO intends ​to facilitate access to education for all children, adolescents, and adult men and women with ​no consideration of their race, ethnicity, geographic location, and socio-economic ​background.

The goal is selected in support of article nine, Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam “(a) ​The seeking of knowledge is an obligation and provision of education is the duty of the society ​and the State. The State shall ensure the availability of ways and means to acquire education ​and shall guarantee its diversity in the interest of society to enable man to be acquainted with ​the religion of Islam and uncover the secrets of the Universe for the benefit of mankind. (b) ​Every human being has a right to receive both religious and worldly education from the ​various institutions of teaching, education, and guidance, including the family, the school, the ​university, the media, etc., and in such an integrated and balanced manner that would ​develop human personality, strengthen man's faith in Allah and promote man's respect to and ​defense of both rights and obligations.”, Part A, article 21 of the Universal Islamic Declaration ​of Human Rights “Every person is entitled to receive education in accordance with his natural ​capabilities” and part one article 25, Universal Declaration of human rights “Everyone has the ​right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. ​Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be ​made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis ​of merit.”. The goal directly contributes towards the achievement of the United Nations ​sustainable development goal - SDG 4 “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and ​promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”.

Afghanistan’s education system has been devastated by more than three decades of sustained conflict. ​For many of the country’s children, completing primary school remains a distant dream – especially in rural ​areas and for girls – despite recent progress in raising enrolment.

In the poorest and remote areas of the country, enrolment levels vary extensively and girls still lack equal ​access. An estimated 3.7 million children are out-of-school in Afghanistan – 60% of them are girls[1].

The underlining reasons for low girls’ enrolment is insecurity and traditional norms and practices related to ​girls’ and women’s role in the society. Other reasons can be explained in part by a lack of female ​teachers, especially in rural schools. Only 16% of Afghanistan’s schools are girls-only, and many of them ​lack proper sanitation facilities, which further hinders attendance. Certain sociocultural factors and ​traditional beliefs also undermine girls’ education. Girls continue to marry very young – 17% before their ​15th birthday[2].

In some parts of the country, a shortage of schools and insufficient transportation are the main obstacles ​to education – a long walk to school means fewer children go. Geographical barriers, especially in ​mountainous areas, also make it hard for children to reach the classroom. Once children do make it, they ​often receive a lower quality of education because only 48% of their teachers have the minimum ​academic qualifications (equivalent to an Associate Degree)[3].

The socio-political and humanitarian crises that Afghanistan faces critically affect the fragile education ​system. Natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and landslides exacerbate the situation for all ​children. These factors raise parental concerns about safety and can prevent them from sending their ​children to school.

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[1] UNICEF/Afghanistan/Education

[2] Ibid

[3] Ibid

Cooperation for Social Improvement Organization – CSIO is focuses to facilitate access to education in ​Afghanistan through a multi-dimensional approach to address the different obstacles in this sector.

To address the major obstacle (geographic limitations) CSIO is focused on the enrolment and retention of ​the most vulnerable children, those who are out of school -especially girls- and adolescents who left ​behind of formal education, we support the formal school system and the government’s Community-​Based Education (CBE) program, establishing Community-Based Schools (SBEs) and Accelerated Learning ​Centers, We help identify alternative pathways to learning and increase education opportunities for the ​hardest-to-reach.

To address socio-culture limitation for children -especially women- education CSIO initiates Strengthening ​Families Programs (SPFs) in the target communities to improve outcomes for parents with knowledge and ​skill on facilitating education of their children and adolescents.

To address the financial limitation, CSIO facilitates access to fundings and scholarships the most vulnerable ​young girls who are forces to leave higher education due to financial limitations.