Afghanistan ministry of higher education

Supporting the Higher Education Strategic Planning

Afghanistan, which had one of the best higher education systems in the region, has during the last thirty years been devastated by a sequence of conflicts and civil wars involving both internal and external protagonists. Outdated curricula, under-qualified faculty, dilapidated buildings, lack of proper classrooms and laboratories, under resourced libraries and the lack of state-of- the-art information technology are some of acute and pressing problems faced by the higher education sector. The country has begun the process of reopening and rebuilding its universities but the capacities of current institutions are limited and cannot meet the overwhelming demands for access from an increasing number of high school graduates. In 2008, some 50000 student comprised the enrolment of the higher education sector. It is estimated that there will be 100,000 high school graduates by 2010 and I million by 2014. The Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS), which serves as PRSP at country level, is addressing the needs of higher education sector with a focus as well on skills development.

In the framework of the ANDS, the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) with joint support from UNESCO and World Bank has embarked on developing its National Higher Education Strategic Plan (NHESP) for the next five years. UNESCO is providing technical support to the MoHE focusing on policy analysis and planning. Marina Patrier, UNESCO Kabul Education Programme Specialist believes that the new strategic plan will be a critical tool for better coordination with universities and development partners as well as for funds mobilization. With the progress made in enrolment rates in Basic and Secondary Education during the past 6 years. Providing quality higher education is an urgent challenge. The Ministry of Higher Education though its national strategic plan aims to facilitate access to higher education, establish innovative institutions, produce graduates of quality to contribute to economic growth, Social development, nation building and stability of Afghanistan. The NHESP will address these challenges by focusing on two main programs: “Educate and train skilled graduates to meet the socio-economic development needs of Afghanistan”; and “ Lead and manage a coordinated system of higher education comprising universities, institutes and colleges”.       

 

Others:

• The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
• Supported by DAAD – the German Academic Exchange Service in Bonn/Germany – thousands of Afghan students received new textbooks
• Educational Partnerships: