Breaking Down Barriers to Education

Thanks to support from many donors, CAI made a significant impact in communities across Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan during fiscal year 2022-2023.  When girls and women are educated, societies are transformed. Both the immediate benefit and long-term impact are staggering. The health of the girl and her family improves, economies get stronger, and the cycle of education continues into future generations.  Listed below are the education-specific results from our programs this year:

AFGHANISTAN

In 2022, the Taliban prohibited girls from attending classes above grade 6, and closed the door to higher education for women. Their regressive policies have only compounded an education crisis that has left 4.2 million children, the majority girls, out of school. But Afghan families and local aid organizations have refused to give up.

During fiscal year 2022-2023, with assistance from its donors, CAI supported 5,969 Afghan primary school students (4,074 girls) through community-based schools. These schools offer access to education where there are no schools by converting local facilities or homes into classrooms.

• 191 classrooms were established and provided with furnishings and learning materials.
• 125 women and 66 men received training to teach at these schools.
• 806 community members partici-pated in school councils.

CAI provided 72 women with scholarships to complete their bachelor’s degree. Many returned to their home villages to continue teaching. 

PAKISTAN

With over 22.8 million children not attending school, Pakistan has one of the highest rates of out-of-school children aged 5-16 in the world. The majority are girls. In the remote areas where CAI works, the insufficient number of schools, a lack of teachers, inadequate or inaccessible toilets for girls, and conservative cultural norms contribute to low enrollment and high dropout rates, especially for girls.

CAI supported 34 schools in which 4,444 students (2,590 girls) were enrolled. Support included providing salaries and training to 189 teachers (127 women) along with supplies and equipment.

Children need to have a comfortable and safe environment in which to learn. CAI supports this by providing everything from building improvements to training on hygiene and sanitation. In 2022, 2,415 children participated in water, sanitation and hygiene trainings.

Early childhood education is an important building block for children that is proven to improve learning outcomes later in life. CAI supported nine Early Childhood Education Centers, serving 440 children aged 5 and under.

TAJIKISTAN

Amidst soaring mountains and stunning landscapes, Tajikistan struggles with the post-Soviet legacy of high unemployment and mass migration. The poor quality of education, dilapidated school infrastructure, and shortage of well-trained teachers undermines opportunities for the country’s youth to receive quality education and qualify for higher paying jobs.

CAI awarded 58 scholarships to students (31 girls), including seven Afghan students who fled following the collapse of the Afghan government. These scholarships are opening the door to a brighter future.

Construction of Preschool #2 has progressed to its final year. In early 2024, the school will welcome 100 children (44 girls) aged 3-5 and will act as a model school in the area.

Focusing on chemistry, biology, comput-er science, and math, 315 teachers (150 women) received training to improve their subject matter expertise and intro-duce modern teaching methodologies.

At CAI, we know that education has the power to transform lives. Your investment in our mission makes a difference because it represents hope and the promise of a better future for thousands of children.  You are making an impact that ripples throughout entire communities, sparking change that translates into teachers and parents being able to say, “These children are the future of this village.”  Thank you for believing in the power of education. We are humbled by your loyalty, trust, and commitment to a better world, one positive change at a time.

Links:

• https://centralasiainstitute.org/progress-in-pakistan/