President Hamid Karzai inaugurated Monday the first Education Development Forum held in Kabul. Despite the progress in education in Afghanistan, the President told over hundred forum participants that there was still much work to be done for a better and prosperous tomorrow.

Many people including members of the diplomatic corps, donor representatives and government and non-governments agencies participated in the two-day forum, which was held to review the progress made in the implementation of the new National Education Strategic Plan (NESP).

Education Minister, Mohammad Hanif Atmar in his speech about the progress on NESP since last year said increased school enrolment during the current year with 35 percent of which female is one of the major achievements. “ More schools are now available, over the past 18 months, more than 1800 new school buildings, improved curriculum consistent with modern standards have been put in place”, said the Minister.

The good performance this year in international competitions by Afghan male and female students with over 163 medals is another pride for Afghanistan.  Education Minister said there was one center for Islamic Studies in every province.

The Minister pointed to some major challenges that pose a threat against the education in the country. Terrorists and their associates have killed 147 pupils and teachers over the past18 months and injured 200 more. Almost half of the school children are not yet able to attend schools. Enrolment by girls in the villages and districts is still low.

Also at this gathering, the President condemned the kidnapping of Pakistan ambassador to Afghanistan and hoped he could return safe to his job.

The President said education was on the top priority of the government in the first Tokyo conference and since then considerable progress has been made with assistance by the international community for which we are grateful.

The President said the education in Afghanistan was still at low level in terms of quality and quantity and urged that more buildings be constructed, education standards be promoted, equipped laboratories be available and more science subjects be included in the curriculum with literacy courses to reach more people.

The President called on the international community to help Afghanistan to boost its vocational training services as they are still very limited.

Calling upon the world community in particular the neighbors to help in rebuilding destroyed schools and facilitate Afghanistan in the return to school of its deprived students, the President said,  "Attacks on education by the enemies of Afghanistan and the enemies of humanity have barred at least 300,000 Afghan children from going to school.”

The President said many people have desire for Islamic studies, but are not confident of the material if they gain it outside Afghanistan. The President insisted “I wish all international communities, especially Islamic countries, would help us in constructing madrassas or religious schools,"