The United Nations mission in Afghanistan on Saturday condemned a wave of militant attacks on schools, calling for more protection of the right to an education -- especially for girls

The United Nations mission in Afghanistan on Saturday condemned a wave of militant attacks on schools, calling for more protection of the right to an education -- especially for girls.
  
In the past week a girls' secondary school was set on fire in eastern Nangahar province and an attack on education officials travelling in neighboring Paktika province left five dead and seven wounded, the UN said.
  
"Over the last year UNAMA has monitored unacceptable levels of violence by anti-government elements directed against schools, education institutions, their staff and/or students," the UN mission said in a statement.

"These attacks and acts of intimidation demonstrate a disregard for the protection of civilians, especially children, and of civilian institutions," UNAMA said. "They are a serious violation of international humanitarian law and of the right to education including for girls."
  
UNAMA called on the Afghan government and international military forces to "ensure that effective security measures are in place to protect schools, students and teachers", condemning the "heinous" attacks by militants.