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PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Mohammad Aziz, Urgun District deputy director of education, distributed rule of law comic books to more than 250 children March 27 and 28.
Members of Paktika Provincial Reconstruction Team delivered the comic books to Aziz so he could give them to the students of Abu Herera School in Balish Kalay and Khullafai Rashedeen Primary School in Ali Haydar, Afghanistan, on their first day at school after winter break.
“We encourage our kids to go to school,” Aziz said. “There are 11 schools with boys and girls, and we are very proud of that.”
U.S. Army Capt. Mike Butler, Paktika PRT Urgun civil affairs officer from Chicago, works closely with Aziz to improve education in the district.
“The purpose of the six books in the [rule of law] comic series is to promote greater public awareness of constitutional issues, the rights of Afghan citizens, and legal reform in Afghanistan,” Butler explained.
The comic books, through pictures and words, walk a reader through stories about young boys and girls who learn lessons on child labor, women’s rights, obedience, corruption and the Afghan Constitution.
After the education director and school teachers passed out school supplies and comic books, students took turns standing up and reading aloud from their new books.
Aziz led the small group of visitors and students in applause for each child when he or she finished reading.
“Aziz is very well known in the villages,” Butler said. “He is proactive and constantly seeks to expand education opportunities for children.”
While improving overall education in Urgun is of utmost importance to both Aziz and Butler, they are especially dedicated to improving education for girls.
“We want one female in each family to be educated,” Aziz explained. “Women look up to their mothers and will then want to learn too. We need your help; both our government and your government.”
Right now, Aziz and Butler are teaming to build schools where girls can continue their education beyond grade 6.
“We have the books and the students,” Butler said of the new girls’ school.”Now we just need the structure down here.”
When a class of fifth and sixth grade girls finished reading, they told PRT members they wanted to grow up to be doctors, engineers and teachers. One student requested computers to learn more.
At the end of the school day, students walked home toting their new school supplies and flipping through the pages of their comic books.
“These books are written to be understood by the general populace including those who are literate,” Butler added. “The books have been very well received by shuras, educators, elders and students.”
| Date Taken: | 03.28.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 03.29.2011 17:51 |
| Story ID: | 67940 |
| Location: | PAKTIKA PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 308 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Afghan children learn law through comics, by 1st Lt. Emily Chilson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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