Accelerated Learning Program for Afghan Girls

: Written by: Ferishta Sahak

For a variety of reasons, many girls are deprived of education in Afghanistan but these girls could learn in accelerated learning schools in different parts of Afghanistan.

According to the information provided by the ministry of education of Afghanistan about 28490 students are studying in these schools, 15211 of them are girls whose age is older than school age.

AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some girls about this issue.

Zenat, a resident of Farza district, Kabul province says: “I am 16 years old and I have not studied school. I wished to be educated but my family did not allow me to go to school. Once I saw an illustrated book on a bookshelf in our home and I liked to read that book and know about it, but unfortunately I am not literate.”

Hela, a resident of Shakardara district, Kabul province says: “we all are uneducated in our family. once someone brought a wedding card but no one could read the card to know when and where is the wedding ceremony. I wished that I could study school.”

How could girls enroll themselves in accelerated learning schools?

Rana, a student in one of the accelerated learning schools says: “Last year, one-day, while I was busy in baking bread, our neighbor’s daughter came and informed me of opening an acceleration learning school in our village. I shared the issue with my father and he accepted to enroll me in that school. I and my friend went to the school. The teacher of the mentioned school asked our ID card and 7 small size photos and we started our lessons the next day. We study two classes in one year and now I am a third-grade student.”

The teacher of the accelerated learning school, Rukhsar says: “these schools are for girls between 10-16 years. At the beginning, I went to every home in the village and asked the family to enroll their daughters who are away or deprived of education. I filled special forms for them and collected a copy of identity card and 7 small size photos of them. Then I passed them to the district education department and after their approval, the girls started their lessons. The class starts at 6 am and ends at 12 at noon. We have the same curriculum as the other schools have. This school is a part of the village high school. the students continue their study till grade-6 and then they would continue the remaining classes in the village high school. All education document of these students is in the office of the village high school.”