UNICEF plans direct payments to teachers

KABUL (Pajhwok): The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says it is planning to set up a system to directly fund Afghan teachers.

The announcement came after the international community placed a freeze on funding to the Taliban-led administration.

A senior official of the UN agency told Reuters: “UNICEF is setting up a system that will allow direct payments to teachers without the funds being channeled through the de facto authorities.”

Jeannette Vogelaar, UNICEF’s chief of education in Afghanistan, said UNICEF would begin registration of all public-school teachers.

She added: “The best way to support the education of girls in Afghanistan is to continue supporting their schools and teachers. UNICEF is calling upon donors not to let Afghanistan’s children down.”

Afghanistan’s public services, in particular health and education, have run into crisis since the Taliban took over the country in mid-August.

sa/mud