Afghanistan

Context

  It is said that 22% (1,910,000) out of the total population of refugees in the world (8,390,000) are from Afghanistan. According to the latest statistics, one out of four of these dies before reaching the age of five years. To improve the educational system of the country (the current literacy rate is 28%), basic education is one of the country's biggest challenges. In 2007, the government released its Five-Year Plan on Educational Development Strategy. In addition to improving infrastructure, such as building schools; it outlines personnel training and the creation of spaces for science laboratories and libraries.

Summary

  SVA will continue to implement its library programs with a focus on schools, so that they become established activities within them. We will also strengthen cooperative relations with our counterpart, the Ministry of Education, and value our network with the local community. It is also important to provide support for children unable to attend school because of poverty, as well as children who are working. We will continue to strengthen our relationship with other international organizations, communities and local authorities in order to develop our activities in the province. We will also improve our security measures to secure our staff safety.

School Libraries

Mobile book-box project and library workshop for teachers

  In 2007, the mobile book-box project was carried out 75 times in 26 schools within and around Jalalabad, using mobile book-boxes containing 50 books each. A total of 3,653 children and 211 teachers joined in games and story-telling and paper drama out loud. Library workshop was also held over five days in five provincial districts for 15 schools, and 340 teachers participated. In 2008, SVA plans to implement the projects in 22 schools in Jalalabad and three schools in rural areas.

Publishing Picture Books and Paper Drama

  In 2007, SVA published 600 copies each of seven picture book titles in Pashtun and Dari. We also published 200 sets each of two titles of paper drama, also two languages. The seven-member publishing committee was involved in story selection and the composition of each book. These 8,400 picture books and 800 sets of paper dramas are used in 25 schools in Nangahar province and children's library, serving about 62,000 children. In 2008, SVA plans to publish nine titles of picture book and two titles of paper drama.

Children's Library

  In 2007, 21,936 children aged three to 15 years visited the children's library in Jalalabad. Various monthly activities were held, such as birthday gatherings, parent-child group sessions and Children's Day, and mothers were also encouraged to participate. Special classes were also launched for children unable to attend school for economic reasons, as well as children unable to keep up in class. On average, 50 children attend each day.

School Construction

  In 2007, SVA built three school buildings: one with 10 classrooms in Qalatak primary school, Khewa district (1,126 children and 28 teachers), one with 13 classrooms (one library room) in Sayed Jamaludin boys'primary school, Khewa district (902 children and 34 teachers) and one with 13 classrooms (one library room) in Kot girls' primary school, Kot district (904 children and 30 teachers). Office furniture for teachers and stationery for students were distributed in each school. Libraries were also established in each school, with 700 books provided for each (100 in Pashtun, 500 picture books published by SVA, 50 picture books from Japan and 50 books for youth). In 2008, SVA plans to build three school buildings for Qalai Shahi primary school, Dara-I-Noor district, Tawakal Baba primary school, Khewa district and Takia Garay girls' primary school, Bati Kot district.

International Exchange and Training

  In late February to March 2007, the Japanese expert on library activity and a writer of picture books and paper drama hold a capacity building seminar in Afghanistan. It was attended by staff members of the library section, two officials of the Provincial Department of Education and one official of the Provincial Department of Information and Culture. It was an opportunity to look at the history of libraries in Japan and learn about public libraries, and to think about how to develop libraries in Afghanistan. A workshop was also held based on the concept of using readily available materials to create teaching materials, such as paper drama. In April 2007, two SVA national staff members, together with Mr. Gardiwal, a former director of the Provincial Department of Education, visited Japan to join a training session on publishing children's story books. In September, the deputy director of SVA Afghanistan office attended the annual meeting of overseas directors for the first time.