NEARLY half of Afghanistan’s children are not in school because of war and poverty, according to a report published yesterday by the Education Ministry and UN children’s agency Unicef.

About 3.7 million, or 44 per cent, of all children aged seven to 17 are not studying. It’s the first year since 2002 that the rate of attendance has fallen.

The survey says girls account for 60 per cent of those denied an education.