An association called “Knowledge is Light” has set up free education classes for 1,200 boys and girls in the Yahyakhel district of south-eastern Paktika province.
Haidar Pacha, head of the as-sociation, told local media they had been educating chil-dren in Yahyakhel district over the past two years.
He said the campaign was be-ing run with financial support from the Yahyakhel residents who were working in Gulf countries. During the period, he added, they had set up more than 24 local classes in different vil-lages of the district for 1,200 children, half of them girls. Separate classes had been set up for boys and girls, who were being taught by male and female teachers, he added. Pacha thanked local authori-ties for encouraging them and offering cooperation.
Two other members of the as-sociation, Dr. Khalil Ahmad and Syed Khan Suleiman, confirmed receiving financial support from the Afghans working abroad.The process would be ex-panded to other areas of the province as well, they prom-ised.
Mufti Niaz Mohammad, a resi-dent of Yahyakhel, told media hundreds of children would have been deprived of education without support from the association.
He called on well-off citizens to join hands with such indi-viduals and groups for provid-ing education to children in every area.
Mohammad Sharif, a tribal elder from the district, praised the activities of the “Knowl-edge is the Light” and its sup-porters.
Abdul Rahman, a teacher hired by the association, said local classes for children were useful and the children were taught well. He asked the Education De-partment and other agencies to help the children with, text-books and stationery.
Ayesha, 9, who has learned reading and writing, com-mended the association for providing her education. “I have learnt reading and writing, as well as the first chapter of the Holy Quran. I’m happy attending classes daily with my classmates,” she said.
