Local officials from the Taliban-led government confirm that a majority of children in Helmand still lack access to education, acknowledging that decades of conflict, limited facilities, and economic hardship continue to deprive thousands of basic schooling.
Molavi Mohammad Awaaz Ansari, head of Helmand’s Education Department under the Taliban-led government, says that decades of war, low public awareness about the importance of education, and a shortage of schools and teaching materials have prevented many families from sending their children to school.
“60 percent of students cannot access education due to the lack of schools,” said Ansari.
According to him, 357 schools are currently active across the province, including Lashkargah city, with only 183,061 students enrolled. He says that several districts still lack schools or have too few, leaving large numbers of children out of the education system.
Data from the department’s statistics office shows that nearly 280,000 children across Helmand—whose ages fall within school requirements—are either engaged in child labor or lack access to educational facilities. These children are between 5 and 16 years old.
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Residents from various districts confirm these challenges. They say the lack of educational facilities, economic hardship, and limited Taliban government focus on modern education have left their children without opportunities.
Karimullah, a resident of Baghran district and father of five, says none of his children attend school. “No educational facilities exist in our area, and all children here are deprived of education,” he said, calling on the authorities to establish new schools and learning centers.
Obaidullah, a 13-year-old from Khanashin district, says there is no school in his area and that many children of school age remain out of class. He says he dreams of receiving a modern education and having a better future but fears a dark path ahead due to poverty and the absence of learning centers. He urges the authorities to provide access to schooling.
Civil society activists in Helmand also express concern. They say the province’s education sector is in poor condition and needs urgent attention. Activist Abdul Qawi Adel says the learning situation in existing schools is extremely weak and calls on the current Taliban led government to improve resources and support the education process.
Education director Ansari says that several districts—including Nahr-e-Siraj, Garmser, Khanashin, Deshu, Bahramcha, Bughni, and Baghran—still require new schools, and proposals have been submitted to the central authorities.
Beyond Helmand, children in many remote areas of Afghanistan also lack access to formal education.
