The sub-post office is often the last business left in poor areas after other shops close.

ECONOMIST: Squeezing the banks

In addition to providing technical advice on the full range of education sub-sectors out of its Kabul Office, UNESCO implements large-scale literacy programmes for civilians and police officers in Afghanistan, with Japanese funding.

UNESCO: EDUCATION

From its early days, the Post Office employed women often as sub-postmistresses, running post offices as part of their business, or as postwomen, particularly in rural areas when men were not available.

BBC: Archive reveals women's vital role in the Post Office

In coordination with the other Programme Specialists in the Accra Office and other Natural Sciences Programme Specialists based in the sub-region identify, plan, support and implement inter-disciplinary and intersectoral projects in the field of Natural Sciences.

UNESCO: Main Menu

The National Federation of Sub-Postmasters said that the decision was vital for the future of the post office network.

BBC: Tax disc

"This contract means the public and businesses will continue to have convenient, local access to essential services while sub-postmasters will retain income to allow them to continue to provide a Post Office service to their communities, " said the federation's general secretary, George Thomson.

BBC: Tax disc

Crown offices are Post Office branches directly managed by the company - as opposed to locally-run by sub-post offices - mainly based in major High Streets.

BBC: Post Office staff go on strike at Crown offices

Joseph Massaquoi, Director of the UNESCO Nairobi Office and Dr Kevin Urama, one of the four authors of the chapter in the report on sub-Saharan Africa.

UNESCO: SCIENCE POLICY AND CAPACITY-BUILDING