Karzai’s Order to 3 Key Ministries: Efforts for Improvement

President Karzai has ordered Ministry of Education, Ministry of Higher Education and Ministry of Social and Labor Affairs  to provide their long-term plans for the improvement of the educational and employment status to the presidency.

As per his order, an extraordinary meeting would be scheduled either next Monday or Tuesday in Kabul among senior government officials.

The purpose of the joint meeting is to create the necessary coordination between the three mentioned ministries needed for the enhancement of education and job situation in the years ahead.

Following the President’s command, seven committees have been set up in the three ministries and each committee has started acting upon their assigned guidelines.

The President issued the statement while he is scheduling a meeting soon in Kabul with members of all three branches of the government (legislative, executive and judicial) in order to get the proper approach in fighting corruption.

Ali Iftekhari spokesperson for the Ministry of Social and Labor Affairs said that his Ministry has prepared a plan to reduce unemployment in the country and to provide to the presidency.

According to Mr. Iftekhari, the plan proposes a division of educational fields in accordance with “the need for labor market”. He also added that the plan also puts forward the categorization of major fields in high schools (9-12 grades).

These proposals are based on the existing realities in the country, labor market requirements, and capacity enhancement of workers.

Lack of careful planning, lack of coordination between ministries and other government agencies and lack of long-term programs are considered to be the fundamental causes of unemployment in the country.

According to the Ministry’s officials, 3 million out of 9 million labors are unemployed.

Abdul Azim Noor spokesperson for the Ministry of Higher Education said that the Ministry’s plan to improve education is ready to present to the presidency. He refused to give specifications about the plan.

A number of students and experts have complained about the lack of appropriate programs for the development of education in the country. Ministry of Education faces criticism about the old system of education

Financial corruption and selection of senior managers based on connections instead of competence and expertise are the factors due to which the Ministry has failed to make significant changes in the education sector.

Amanullah Iman spokesperson for the Ministry of Education said that the Ministry of Education has also put together their plan as per order of the president.

According to Mr. Iman, the plan emphasizes on the continuity of assistance from the world community in the construction of new schools and training of vocational teachers. The plan also proposes a two-stage university entrance exam (Kankoor or Board Exam). The spokesperson refused to give any further details on this proposal.

Ministry of Education faces strong criticism on the low quality of education in schools and lack of qualified teachers and teaching facilities.

Improvement of education is a key factor for developing the economy. Having a high proportion of literates among the population will help build a vibrant private sector, where people with degrees will seek for jobs and entrepreneurship and add to the productivity of the country, as a result of which poverty level will drop significantly. Income per capita will increase as disposable incomes increase from acquiring new skills and education, and income per capita is correlated with poverty rate.