Jaweriya wakes up at 5:00 a . m . to make the one-and-a-half-hour walk to this second-grade class in a community-based school in Spenkai village . Established in December 2020 , it is the only school in the village . “ We are learning the letters so if we go to the city , we can read the signs for the doctor ,” said Jaweriya . “ I want to learn them so I can teach my mother how to write her name .”
This community-based school is one of 49 schools established by Shining Star , one of CAI ’ s partner organizations in Afghanistan . Located in remote areas far from any public schools , these community-based schools provide classes for girls and boys in grades one to three who otherwise would not be attending school at all . With the support of CAI , Shining Star recruits and trains teachers and provides books , learning materials , school supplies , and furnishings . In 2022 , CAI supported a total of 191 community-based schools across six provinces . In 2023 , CAI hopes to expand its support to 250 communities to help meet the enormous needs .
Ten-year-old Hamidullah is another student at the community-based school in Spenkai village . “ This school is very good because they gave us books and pens for our studies ,” he said . “ I never did any studies or had any books before because my father could not afford them . It ’ s the first school I have gone to , and I want to do very well in my classes because my father is not employed . But I will be a doctor .”
OLDER GIRLS ARE GIVEN NEW OPPORTUNITIES
While the community-based schools are focused on grades one through three , the program also targets many older children who didn ’ t have access to schools when they were younger . For example , 12-year-old Osmania , a second-grade student at a community-based school in Spenkai village , began her schooling at age 11 . That meant she was learning alongside 6-year-olds in first grade . “ I talked with the elder of the village and my family and they allowed me to attend this school ,” she explained .
After her school day , Osmania does her homework and then helps her mother with the chores , like washing the clothes , sweeping the floor , and looking after the animals . “ Then I teach my mother what I have learnt at school ,” she said . “ Last night , I taught her the seasons of the year because she didn ’ t go to school .”
Teachers in these schools say that older students who have not received any schooling before can catch up through accelerated learning . This is particularly important for girls , who have always faced more roadblocks to getting an education and are now dealing with new restrictions under the Taliban regime .
While boys at all levels have been permitted to attend school , the Taliban has blocked girls from attending secondary school ( above grade six ). Taliban officials have set no conditions or timeline for lifting the ban , insisting it ’ s only temporary . But the Taliban policy has met with resistance . In many parts of the country , tribal leaders , educators , and families are taking steps to ensure that older girls are provided with the education they need .
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