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Education

Community classes that bring school to the village

We run primary classes close to home, train and pay local teachers, and supply books, so children can learn where they live.

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Girls reading textbooks at their desks in a classroom in Samangan

Key numbers

children in community classes
12,480
teachers trained and paid
342
classes in six provinces
418
to keep one child in class for a term
$25

Sample data

In many villages the nearest school is a long walk away. For young children, that walk often decides whether they learn at all. Our community classes meet in a room offered by a family or a local elder, within walking distance of home.

Each class is taught by a teacher from the same community, trained by us and paid every month. Classes follow the national primary curriculum, with textbooks in Dari and Pashto. In the afternoons, some classrooms host literacy groups for parents.

Our goals

  • Keep 15,000 children learning in community classes by the end of 2027
  • Train and pay 400 local teachers
  • Give every pupil a full set of textbooks and supplies each school year
  • Help 3,000 parents learn to read and write

How we work

  1. The community chooses the location and forms a school committee to look after the class.
  2. Teachers are hired locally and trained for twelve days before the year starts, with a refresher each term.
  3. Our education officers visit every class at least once a month.
  4. Twice a year, every pupil takes a short reading and maths check so we can see what is working.

$25 keeps a child in class for a whole term

That pays for books, a slate and a share of a local teacher's salary. Give once or every month.