$75 Million Joint Education Initiative to Serve Non-Traditional Students, Especially Girls

U.S. Ambassador P. Michael McKinley delivers his speech during the event.
U.S. Ambassador P. Michael McKinley delivers his speech during the event.
USAID

For Immediate Release

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Kabul, Afghanistan – Minister of Education Asadullah Hanif Balkhi, U.S. Ambassador P. Michael McKinley, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director William Hammink and UNICEF Deputy Country Representative Dr. L.N. Balaji celebrated an innovative Community-Based Education program on Aug. 30.

The five-year, $75 million program will provide community-based education in non-formal classrooms in 13 provinces using Ministry of Education-approved curriculum and textbooks.  It will focus on reaching children unable to access formalized schools due to insecurity, difficult terrain or distance. It will also reach older Afghans who missed out on education as children by offering accelerated learning programs.  

“Community-Based Education is a proven method for reaching underserved school-age children,” said Ambassador McKinley. “It is especially significant for girls because research has shown that if schools are in the villages parents will send their daughters to school.”

“The Ministry of Education believes Community-Based Education and Accelerated Learning Centers are the best approaches to provide education services for children in remote and rural areas,” said Minister Balkhi. “These students will study in classes in their village for three years, after completion, the students will be admitted to grade four at formal schools nearby their villages.”

“This initiative will enable 100,000 children, including girls, in 13 disadvantaged provinces to benefit from education from Grades one to 3,” said UNICEF Deputy Country Representative Dr. L.N. Balaji. “In addition, with generous support from USAID, a three-year accelerated learning program will enable 20,000 out-of-school children to complete their primary education.”

The Ministry of Education in partnership with UNICEF will administer the program, which emphasizes reaching girls and young woman who would not otherwise be able to receive basic education. Teachers will be recruited from their communities and trained. About 120,000 out-of-school students will receive education during the five-year program.