By LEARN Afghan Team | Head of Reporting
Introduction
LEARN Afghan continued expanding access to secondary education and future-oriented learning opportunities for Afghan girls during this reporting period. The program maintained structured learning across the full secondary cycle while supporting students through STEM, English language, digital skills, and other specialized learning opportunities.
By the end of the reporting period, 4,030 girls were enrolled in Grades 7 through 12 across 25 school programs in 24 provinces. Alongside the school network, students also participated in the English Academy, Web Development, Robotics, and Midwifery programs, bringing current school and specialized-program participation to 4,445 students and participants.
Key Achievements and ImpactExpansion and Reach
One of the most significant developments during this reporting period was continued growth in the school network while maintaining coverage across the full secondary cycle. School enrollment increased from 3,769 girls in the previous reporting period to 4,445 by the end of this reporting period, an increase of 681 students.
Students remained represented across Grades 7 through 12. Grade 10 was the largest cohort with 843 students, followed by Grade 7 with 794 and Grade 9 with 744. Grades 8 and 11 each included 656 students, while Grade 12 had 337 students. The network continued to operate 25 school programs across 24 provinces.
This growth reflects continued demand for secondary education and the program's ability to absorb academic transitions while maintaining active learning opportunities for girls. During the reporting period, 262 Grade 12 students completed the previous academic cycle, while new and continuing students remained engaged across the lower and upper secondary grades.
Continuity of Secondary Education
Across the school network, teachers maintained structured academic schedules and continued delivering lessons in mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, English, computer studies, Dari, Pashto, history, geography, and other grade-level subjects. Students also completed homework, quizzes, chapter reviews, assessments, presentations, practical activities, and individual academic support.
During this reporting period, school teams supported the completion of the previous academic cycle, updated active student rosters, and continued regular instruction for the new term. Teachers maintained focus on attendance, assessments, class organization, and individual academic follow-up so students could remain engaged throughout the transition.
LEARN Afghan continued using its digital school system to maintain learning continuity. Teachers supported students through structured subject instruction, digital learning tools, academic follow-up, and low-bandwidth communication where connectivity was limited.
STEM and Specialized Learning Programs
STEM and specialized learning continued to complement the secondary curriculum during this reporting period. By the end of the period, 415 students were participating across the English Academy, Web Development, Robotics, and Midwifery programs.
The English Academy served 288 students, supporting language development in grammar, speaking, reading, and communication. Web Development enrolled 45 students in practical web and digital skills learning, while eight students completed the course during the reporting period. Robotics continued with 52 students, providing applied STEM and problem-solving opportunities through technology-focused learning.
The Midwifery Program continued with 30 students, providing a professional pathway for school graduates interested in healthcare. Although distinct from the STEM-focused programs, it reflects LEARN Afghan's broader effort to connect secondary education with practical learning and future professional opportunities.
Together, these programs provide students with opportunities to strengthen English, digital literacy, technical problem-solving, and practical skills alongside their secondary education.
Student Confidence and Wellbeing
The value of continued education extends beyond academic instruction. Students remain connected to teachers, peers, structured routines, and opportunities to participate in presentations, clubs, practical learning, language activities, and technology-focused programs.
These forms of participation give students opportunities to practice communication, problem-solving, collaboration, and independent learning. Continued teacher guidance and academic follow-up are particularly important for girls navigating secondary education in an environment where formal schooling remains restricted.
The completion of Grade 12 by 262 students during the reporting period also demonstrates continued progression through the secondary cycle. LEARN Afghan is working to strengthen the connection between graduation and further learning opportunities through specialized skills and professional pathways.
Teachers and Community Impact
Female educators remained central to program delivery throughout the reporting period. By the end of the reporting period, LEARN Afghan employed 110 educators to support instruction, attendance and progress monitoring, student guidance, assessments, and academic follow-up across the network.
Teachers maintained regular contact with students through the digital school system and adapted support to student needs. Their role is especially important during academic transitions, when students require clear guidance on class schedules, assessments, progression, and continued participation.
Families also remain important to learning continuity. Communication with parents and caregivers helps schools follow up on attendance, academic participation, and student support where needed.
Challenges
The main challenge continues to be the restriction on girls' secondary education and women's employment in Afghanistan. These conditions require LEARN Afghan to maintain flexible and discreet education systems that protect students, teachers, and learning continuity. Internet access and connectivity also remain practical constraints for digital education, particularly in areas with limited reliable real-time access.
LEARN Afghan responds through low-bandwidth digital tools, flexible teacher-student communication, recorded and shareable learning materials, and regular academic follow-up. During the transition between academic terms, careful roster management was also necessary to accurately distinguish graduating students, permanently absent students, and new-term enrollment.
Looking Ahead
In the coming months, LEARN Afghan will continue focusing on quality instruction, student retention, attendance, academic assessment, Grade 12 progression, and teacher support across its 25 school programs.
STEM and specialized learning will remain an important part of the program. LEARN Afghan will continue strengthening English language learning, computer studies, Web Development, Robotics, and other digital-skills opportunities so that students can combine secondary education with practical competencies relevant to further study and future work.
The organization will also continue strengthening graduate follow-up and post-secondary pathways, including skills training and professional learning opportunities for students who complete Grade 12. Continued support from GlobalGiving donors remains important to sustaining these education and progression opportunities for Afghan girls.
Conclusion
By the end of this reporting period, LEARN Afghan was supporting 4,030 girls across Grades 7 through 12, compared with 3,769 students in the previous reporting period. Additional participation in English, Web Development, Robotics, and Midwifery brought the current school and specialized-program portfolio to 4,445 students and participants. The reporting period also included 262 students completing Grade 12, marking an important progression point in the secondary education cycle.
Through secondary education, STEM programming, digital learning, language development, and practical skills pathways, LEARN Afghan continues to help girls remain connected to education and prepare for future opportunities. With continued support, the program can sustain learning continuity while strengthening the pathways available to students as they progress through and beyond secondary education.
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