Teaching Tomorrow's Leaders: Afghan Pre-Schools

Summary

Provides 10 poor children with the opportunity to attend pre-school where they will gain a solid foundation for primary education and learn positive social behavior, math and reading.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

War and civil strife have worsened the already bleak Afghan educational system, which is plagued by poor funding, disorganization, and a lack of teachers, schools, and materials. Among the minority of children who attend school, attendance is poor and drop out rates are high, especially for girls. This pre-school program (PEP) provides early education that serves as a foundation for life-long learning, emphasizes student-centered teaching, and is a model of quality education for Afghan schools.

How will this project solve this problem?

With these scholarships, 10 poor children will be able to attend a year of pre-school in Afghanistan or refugee communities in Pakistan. PEP girls and boys age 6 and younger learn reading, English, math, computer, gym, health, & patriotic songs.

Potential Long Term Impact

PEP teachers receive ongoing training in interactive, student-centered teaching which promotes critical thinking in children. AIL encourages parent involvement in PEP and holds parent-teacher meetings to gather feedback on PEP.

Project Message

The students who finish AIL pre-school and come to our school are so intelligent that all the teachers are amazed. When we hear that a student has come to our school from AIL PEP, we are very happy.
- School Principal, Kabul, Afghanistan

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).

Resources