Helping Afghan Children Go to School in Pakistan

With 1600+ enrolled learners, 130+ teachers, and 25 government schools, providing inclusive education to Afghan children in Pakistan has also meant considering infrastructure needs. Many government school buildings have been standing for decades, and essential services like WASH, accessibility, and overall infrastructure require regular maintenance. 

An engineer for Relief International shared that, “while the government strives to perform necessary maintenance through the Parents Teachers Committee, the lack of funds and other priorities often hinder routine or annual repairs in most schools.” Providing school building maintenance is crucial and helps to prevent interruptions in learning for Afghan children.

This challenge became clear with the help of head teacher Nusrat. Nusrat, a 30-year-old head teacher, faced a unique challenge due to a genetic spinal cord condition. Her condition makes it difficult for her to sit or stand properly, posing challenges in her daily life and teaching routine.

Nusrat joined the school as a teacher in 2020 and was selected for her position through the disabled quota. The school however lacked proper accessible restroom facilities. This made attending to basic needs during the day quite uncomfortable for Nusrat, often requiring that she wait until the end of school hours to use an accessible facility. An interupption that Relief International worked to alleviate

In 2022-23, 17 new classrooms were built, 4 were repaired, and 37 handwashing points were upgraded. Additionally, 9 water storage tanks were fixed, and 26 washrooms were repaired, 6 of which being disability-friendly. Privacy was enhanced in 5 girls' schools and 4 sewage systems were restored.

We can only provide this vital support with your help. Please support vulnerable Afghan refugees in Pakistan.