Last year’s earthquake in Herat not only had a devastating impact on quake-hit victims, who lost loved ones and their homes, but also on children as scores of schools are unusable.

In addition to the loss of lives and widespread destruction, 256 schools were badly damaged in the quake.

Herat education officials said in addition to these schools, another 144 schools are also in need of major repairs.

This comes just days after the start of the new academic year, which has resulted in hundreds of children now having to be taught in open-air classrooms.

Teachers at some of the schools have said it’s too dangerous to use many of these schools.

In just one school, which suffered extensive damage in the earthquake, over 300 children are being taught outdoors.

These teachers say they hope repair work will soon start so that they can move children back in doors.

Officials from the Department of Education in Herat say some of the school buildings are not in a state to be repaired as the damage was extensive.

Officials said there are 1,400 schools in the province.

Four large earthquakes measuring 6.3 magnitude each and their aftershocks affected Herat province in western Afghanistan in early October 2023.

The first two earthquakes occurred on 7 October at 11:11 am and 11:42 am near the city of Herat, followed by many aftershocks.

On 11 and 15 October, two other magnitude 6.3 earthquakes struck the same area.

The World Health Organization estimated 1,482 fatalities, 2,100 injuries, 43,400 people affected and 114,000 people requiring humanitarian aid.