January 14-16, 2002-01-16

Prepared By Halima Kazem

After 23 years of war the people of Afghanistan face the harsh reality of a destroyed government, economic and educational system. More than sixty-five percent of Afghanistan’s adult population is illiterate and about sixty percent of school-aged children do not attend school. Education is crucial to Afghanistan’s future and self sufficiency. The mentality and culture of war needs to be replaced by a healthy national curriculum and educational system.

The reconstruction of education in Afghanistan is a massive and challenging task for Afghans and the international community. Meeting this challenge will require extensive donor support, funding and commitment. At this time of great need we must start one school at a time. As the delegates of Afghan Educational Roundtable we have established a short term framework for donors and municipalities to help renovate and restart an Afghan primary school.

The model we are proposing is a school for 500 boys and girls from grades 1-6. There will be approximately 19 teachers and staff with 30 students in every classroom. Students will attend classes in two shifts: one from 8am-12pm and another from 1pm-5pm. These guidelines can also be applied to a secondary school and a high school. Because of Perugia’s interest in Balkh (where Mazar-e-Shariff is located) we will use a school in one of the districts of this province as the example.

Step 1- Assessment – Within one month of donor commitment

Contact Afghanistan’s Ministry of Education and local authorities

All plans and donations must be in compliance with Afghanistan’s Ministry of Education Policies
Donors establish relationship for partnership and donation
Request existing statistics about the district or city

Conduct a quick survey of district’s educational needs (sponsored by interested donors)

District population
Number of children at the primary school level
Assess the school building or buildings being considered for school house
Cost analysis for repairing and renovating existing building

Assess availability and competence of local teachers

Procurement of available and suitable textbooks, supplies, and furniture

Step 2- Action – Within two months of donor commitment

Repairs and renovations of infrastructure

Appointment of teachers and administrative staff

Enrollment of students

Purchasing of school uniforms

Opening Day of school- March 22, 2002, which is the beginning of the Afghan new year and the start of spring.

Step 3- Budget Requirement

Initial Investment - Repairs and Renovations - One time cost of $7,000

School Furniture - One time cost $2,000

Operational Cost - Teacher and Staff Salaries - Per year $11,000

Estimated Cost for repairing and running (1 year) one primary school in Afghanistan - $20,000

Short term donations of less than $20,000 will be placed in a school building fund (in compliance with Afghanistan’s Ministry of Education). After $20,000 is reached this plan will be executed to repair and renovate a school in Afghanistan.

Additional Long Terms Goals

Donor who make a long term commitment must do so for a minimum of 5 years.

Long term donors must be responsible for a set number of teacher salaries and 500,000 of stationary packs (school supplies) per year

For donors who are willing to help build more than one school, we ask that 1 successful school be established instead of 2 insufficient schools.

Scholarships for teacher training

Launching of distance education

Literacy and vocational training for women

For constructing a new school an initial investment of $25,000 is required

$12 a year will give a child in Afghanistan the gift of Education!