Education International

From Afghanistan to the world: Solidarity is hope

I am 44 years old and I hold a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. I teach at a high school in Kabul, and I have been working as a teacher for 20 years.

Afghanistan : Humanitarian Relief for Teachers Affected by the Earthquake in Kunar

On 31 August 2025, a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Kunar Province in eastern Afghanistan. The tremor caused catastrophic damage killing more than 2,500 people, injuring thousands, and destroying homes, as well as many schools.

In this context of devastation, Education International (EI) and its affiliate, the National Teachers Elected Council (NTEC), mobilized quickly to provide humanitarian assistance to unionized teachers affected by the disaster. This initiative illustrates the solidarity and commitment of the global education community through EI.

Afghanistan: Survey provides meaningful insights into the experiences of teachers and students under the Taliban regime

Education International (EI) hosted a union side event at the 68th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) to highlight the plight of girls and women teachers in Afghanistan who have been forbidden from going to school and teaching since the Taliban takeover in 2021.

In their own words: the harsh reality of Afghan teachers

Shakila* is a dedicated teacher with over 15 years of service in the Balkh Province of Afghanistan. Since the most recent takeover of the Taliban in 2021 which led to the shutdown of education for girls, attacks on female teachers, and a crackdown on the rights of women, Shakila reports feeling a profound sadness caused by living in an unsafe environment. Beyond her personal hardships, the closure of schools for her daughters and female students adds a strong sense of injustice. Partial and irregular salary payments for teachers exacerbate the already difficult conditions the education sector faces. Despite the challenges, Shakila remains passionately committed to advocating for academic freedom, emphasizing the need for an equitable educational environment.

Analysing the Challenges Faced by Afghan Teachers

In 2022, Education International (EI) took a significant step to champion the rights of Afghan teachers with the launch of the Afghan Teacher's Rights Observatory. This dedicated platform was created to document the situation of education in Afghanistan, addressing critical aspects such as teachers' salaries, working conditions, human rights violations, gender equity, girls' access to education, restrictions on women teachers, safety, and curriculum adherence to international human rights standards.

Education International joins global call to invest in girls’ rights

October 11, the International Day of the Girl Child, is a day of mobilisation and action to advance the rights of girls around the world. Amid worrying developments that have undone decades of progress on girls’ rights, Education International joins allies from around the world in calling for governments and the international community to invest in and protect girls’ rights.

Shining a light on the right to education in Afghanistan

Today, the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations will discuss the desperate situation of human rights in Afghanistan, at the International Labour Conference, in Geneva. Through the Afghan Teachers’ Rights Observatory, Education International collects testimonies and calls attention to the terrible conditions facing teachers and the severe limitations placed on girls’ right to education by the Taliban regime.

Education International launches Afghan Teachers’ Rights Observatory to elevate the voice of teachers and defend the right to education

The Observatory will gather data and testimonies on rights’ violations, amplify the voice of Afghan teachers, and work to restore girls’ right to education.

The unseen struggle and challenges of Afghan teachers

During the last four decades, Afghanistan has witnessed a series of destructive wars, and it is a fact that war causes deaths, destroys infrastructures, and severely impacts various aspects of people's lives. Throughout these times, Afghan teachers have always served the youth of the country, with honesty and dedication.