From open sky to classrooms: renewed hope for schoolchildren in Ghor

In Kandiwal village, Ferozkoh, the capital of Ghor province in Afghanistan, residents have taken the initiative to build a school using their own funds. This effort offers renewed hope for schoolchildren who have long endured learning in the open air.

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We have been studying in this school for five years. In summer we suffer from extreme heat and in rainy weather from the cold.

For years, students at the boys' school in Kandiwal have studied under the scorching sun in summer and faced the cold during rainy seasons. Mir Ahmad, a student, shared his experience, noting that prolonged exposure to the elements has led to health issues. He expressed immense joy over the construction, anticipating a proper classroom with desks and chairs.

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I am so happy it cannot be described. I wish it is completed soon so we can study in classrooms with desks and chairs.

Noor Gul, another student, echoed the sentiment, calling the construction a "very good step." Abdul Rahman, a father of a student, highlighted the challenges of open-air schooling, including frequent illnesses among children, but stressed the necessity of education. He hopes for the swift completion of the building for a peaceful learning environment.

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We are very happy that a building is being constructed for us; it is a very good step.

Education experts view public involvement as crucial. Ghulam Sakhi Sakha stated that a standard learning environment is essential for quality education, noting that unsuitable conditions negatively impact learning outcomes. Abdul Rauf Omari added that community participation not only helps alleviate classroom shortages but also boosts student interest and improves future generations' quality. He acknowledged the difficulty the education department faces in addressing the lack of buildings for over 500 schools and stressed the need for public cooperation.

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Our children have been studying in the open air or sometimes under tents for years. They often become sick, but we are forced to send them to school so they can learn and become educated.