GIRLS’ PARTICIPATION IN EDUCATION IN AFGHANISTAN: : A case study of girls’ participation in primary and secondary schools, in Takhar province, Afghanistan.

Abstract: Many common basic challenges such as cultural beliefs, early marriages and poverty did not only inhibited girls’ participation in education but also long distance, lack of facilities and lack of parents’ attention play crucial role. Even urban and rural peoples’ attitudes were important factors on inhibiting or influencing girls’ participation in education. Girls leaving of schools before completing their education cycle, to know who leave school prematurely and to what extent; this study describes some of factors that influence girls to leave school in primary and secondary level. To find out some factors that may influence girls’ participation or their leaving in primary and secondary level. Hence, ten parents structured interviews were conducted in urban and rural areas as well as 32 questionnaires to female teachers and girl students were distributed 5 in urban and 5 in rural area of Takhar province Afghanistan. Data was collected from random sample of 80 parents, 40 girl and 40 teachers who were interviewed and distributed questionnaire to know what their opinions are on girls’ attending to schools. After data collection, several factors were found to cause girls leaving of schools; some of the most prominent causes were poverty, lack of security, long distance to school and socio- culture factors. Major differences were found between urban and rural parents’ for instance nearly all urban parents always encourage their daughters to continue education up to university as well most of urban teachers thought, most people say girls’ education play vital role in the society, while rural people claim girls’ education is not lawful and perceive girls’ education is not necessary in the society. By looking to current educational situation of Ministry of Education in Afghanistan, there is a need of research almost in all areas particularly in the area of girls’ education.