Q&A: What is the British Council's role in Afghanistan?

What is the British Council?

It is the UK's principal agency for cultural relations with other countries. It aims to promote the UK and celebrate its ethnic, cultural and political diversity. It works in more than 100 countries through arts, education and English language projects. It teaches residents of those countries about the UK, and has set up English language schools across the world.

How is it funded?

It is paid for partly by the UK government. Last year, the British Council's turnover was 693 million, of which its grant-in-aid from the Foreign Office was 190m. The remainder was generated through commercial activities.

How long has it been in Afghanistan?

It arrived in the country in 1964 and left after the 1979 Soviet invasion. It returned in 2002.

What does it do in Afghanistan?

Its main focus is teaching English and providing English language support, for which there is "overwhelming demand", according to its website. It offers arts and education programmes, and among the schemes it runs is a Foreign Office scholarship for Afghan nationals to study masters degrees in the UK, with 14 doing so this year. It also promotes education for girls, and its website states that it champions the development of women leaders.

How many staff does it have?

There are 6,800 staff worldwide. The council will not reveal the number in Kabul for "security reasons".