18,000 children in Farah enrolled in education classes

FARAH CITY (Pajhwok): For the first time in western Farah province, 600 local classes have been set up by Welfare Association for the Development of Afghanistan (Wadan), providing access to education for thousands of local children.

ShafiqullahBabakarkhil, provincial director of Wadan, told Pajhwok Afghan News that 600 local classes had been set up by the organization in Farah province.

The local classes also have a formal aspect, which keeps the education record of a student based on his or her identity number, he said, adding that the classes enroll students from first to third grades and would be expanded in later stages considering the situation.

These classes are formed in the capital of Farah and five districts of the province, including Bakwa, Parchman, BalaBolok, Khak-e-Safid and Pushtrood, where 18,000 students, both boys and girls of ages seven to 16, have been enrolled.

He said that 600 teachers were hired for teaching these students in the classes.

An educational package including a schoolbag, five notebooks, pencils, colored pencils and seven books were given to the first grade students, he said.

The Farah education department, while welcoming the activities of Wadan, announced its full support for the implementation of the program.

MualviAkhtar Mohammad Zaeem, the director of education in Farah province, said that in the past two decades, children had no access to education and schools in districts, and Wadan helped provide education access to thousands of children.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is committed to educating children of the country and will cooperate responsibly with all its strength and facilities on the regard, he added.

Zabihullah, an eight-year-old boy from Ifor village in Bakwa district of Farah, while going to his class, said, “Going to school is very enthusiastic, I learn and do not miss my classes.”

This comes as access to education and schools in the mentioned districts had been almost zero due to conflicts.

The program was launched in November and will continue for a period of three years. The program is funded by UNICEF and Global Partnership for Education, and being implemented by Wadan.

mds/ma

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