Learning Centers for Rural Afghan Women

In response for the need for education for girls outside of school, AIL Learning Centers have expanded their curriculum for grades 7-12. Here are some numbers from one month at AIL Herat centers.

Classes were provided to 3,701 women and girls. Student numbers included: 747 taking Arabic, 1,215 sewing, 33 embroidery, 256 beautician, 106 preschool students, 681 literacy, 73 math, 437 English, 61 computing, 92 painting.   

Sewing is often the first class women take at a center and having achieved success in that they are open to other classes such as literacy, math and Arabic in particular. Sewing skills help women earn some income to support their families. The preschool classes give the youngest children a real advantage when they enter kindergarten and this affects their progression in education going forward through the grades. Miniature painting is a traditional Afghan craft as is embroidery both of these can be income-generating for women.

Just a few highlights from AIL:

Staff have been busy over the last few months providing trainings in teaching, leadership and reproductive health in a number of provinces including Daikundi and Bamyan, Mazir al Sharif.  TV Meraj’s education program is a great success providing lessons to girls who are unable to attend school in person. AIL has done distributions of cooked food and food parcels to needy families as well as installing a drinking water well in Khatam Anbia, Herat.

The centers offer a variety of subjects to the women who come for education. Here are some examples of what is on offer:

• Some of AIL’s Learning Centers offer a 4 month long Mobile Literacy class. This is a highly effective intensive course that is run alongside a regular literacy course. Students are provided with mobile phones and are taught to use them and to text answers to questions set by teachers.  Over 85% of the students reach level 4 literacy in the four months.
• Carpet weaving, nut weaving, embroidery are all traditional crafts. Some centers offer these classes to women. The skills they learn are sought after and they can earn income to help support their families.
• Beautician classes are popular as women can set up a home business providing services to local people, such as hair dressing, make up and skin care.
• Preschool classes are offered at three of the Herat centers with 202 students enrolled. Early childhood education helps children succeed in kindergarten and the primary years. The classes give them the basics of academics as wells as social skills which make the transition to school easier.
• Modern skills such as English and computing are popular classes and graduates gain employment easily.
• The basics such as literacy, sewing and math are often the first classes women join. These skills help them in managing their family life.
• Education about a variety of life skills such as leadership, health, advocacy, women’s rights and core values are incorporated into the classes at centers. Women need to know how to stand up for themselves and advocate for what they need.

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