Khost City (Pajhwok) – In southeastern Khost province, a volunteer is providing educational opportunities to dozens of underprivileged and orphaned children. These children, many of whom are internally displaced people (IDPs) from various parts of the province, are receiving instruction in Farar, a neighborhood in Khost City.
Abdul Malik Jawhar, a local youth, has been teaching these children at his home for the past two months. He conducts classes in both the morning and afternoon. Jawhar explained that the children, who are primarily engaged in labor during the day, number more than 50, with about half being girls. The curriculum includes basic education such as reading and writing, Islamic studies, and lessons on their rights and faith.
Jawhar emphasized his commitment to educating the next generation and appealed to both government and non-governmental organizations for support. “Currently, we rely on our own resources and some help from individuals to buy stationery and books. The children are in severe economic need, and we even help with their haircuts,” he said.
The children have expressed their gratitude for the education they are receiving. Ehsan, 9, shared his enthusiasm: “I’ve been studying here for the past two months. I’m happy and can write my name and my father’s name in both Pashto and English.” Eight-year-old Khkula dreams of becoming a doctor and expressed her desire to continue her education: “I want to be a doctor and learn more about ethics.”
Local residents acknowledge the positive impact of such initiatives but note that many children in the area still lack access to educational resources. Mohammad Shareef, a local resident, commented, “These efforts are valuable, and we hope that the government or humanitarian organizations will establish a school for these children.”
The local education department reports that there are currently 452 literacy classes in Khost City and its districts, serving nearly 7,000 students. Officials are planning to expand community-based classes to underserved areas. Qasim Jan Qasimi, a spokesman for the Khost education department, stated, “We have identified several deprived areas in our survey and hope to include them in the Ministry of Education’s framework.”
Sunday, September 8, marked Global Literacy Day, highlighting the importance of education for all.