[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 40 (Friday, April 12, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E519]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  AFGHANISTAN'S BACK-TO-SCHOOL PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 11, 2002

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today 
to extend my congratulations to the Afghan Interim Administration for 
its steadfast work in officially reopening the schools in Afghanistan. 
On March 23, 2002, nearly 3,000 schools throughout Afghanistan opened 
their doors. The reopening of the schools began with the delivery of 
stationery for over 20,000 primary school aged children in addition to 
teacher kits, blackboards, and textbooks. The materials are essential 
tools in order to make the learning experience of the children a 
success. Because of the reopening, more than 1.5 million girls and boys 
were given hope and the opportunity to pursue their dreams and make a 
better lives for themselves and their families. This is the first time 
Afghan girls have legally been allowed to attend school since the 
Taliban came to power four years ago.
  Today, the adult literacy in Afghanistan is forty-six percent for 
males and a dismal 16 percent for females. Enrollment in primary school 
is even more disturbing: fifty-three percent for males and just three 
percent for females. This remarkable event of reopening schools across 
the nation demonstrates the high priority the Afghan Interim leaders 
assign to the education of the Afghani people, to reversing these 
trends, and to the long-term commitment to improving the quality of 
life for the nation. The dedication to programs which focus on the 
education and development of Afghan children is essential if the nation 
is going to move forward and allow its people to make a better life for 
themselves.
  Finally, let me commend UNICEF and the many other organizations 
providing critical support for the Back-to-School Campaign. Their 
commitment to working hand in hand with the Afghan Interim 
Administration has played a pivotal role in the success achieved thus 
far and will go a long way in ensuring that the children continue to 
benefit.

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