Education in Afghanistan. By: Sidney Simpson Literacy Rate Literacy definition: anyone 15 or older with the ability to read or write. Literacy rate for males is 39%. For females its 13%. Only recently have women been free to attend school. Only about 30% of girls who enter school will reach grade 5 Primary School Primary school is for ages % of students drop out by the end of primary school. Primary School last for 6 years. Secondary School (Middle School) 6 years as well. Split into 2 cycles. Both cycles are 3 years long. First cycle is made up of grades 7-9 (middle school) At the end of 9th grade the students take an exam. Secondary School (cont.) The second cycle is from grades (high school). At the end of secondary school, students take a Baccalaureate (educational qualification). Secondary School (cont.) Technical Education is offered in both cycles in courses like Commerce, applied art, teacher training, etc. Taking Technical Education courses can lead students into a baccalaureate level qualification. Near Future Edu. In the near future the schools might have 8 years for the general basics and 4 years of secondary education. Higher Education Higher education was forbidden to women until February 2002 when women were allowed to enter a higher education university. Grading Scale Alaa(Excellent-A) Aali(Good-B) Knoob (Satisfactory-C) Teacher Training Pre-Primary and Primary SChool - Only 2 years in Teacher Training Colleges on completion of secondary school. Work Cited "Afghanistan : Education." BRAC-. N.p., n.d. Web. Oct http://www.brac.net/content/afghanistan-education "Afghanistan: Background." Unigei.org. Unigei, n.d. Web. Oct http://www.ungei.org/infobycountry/afghanistan.html "Factsheet." Unicef.org. Unicef, Nov Web. Oct _November_2011_.pdf "International Guild of Hospitality & Restaurant Managers." Afghanistan. N.p., n.d. Web. Oct http://www.hospitalityguild.com/Education/School_Systems/afghanistan.htm "Grading System in Afghanistan." Afghanistan Grading System. N.p., n.d. Web. Oct http://www.classbase.com/Countries/Afghanistan/Grading-System