ANA, ISAF build literacy center

KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN

08.24.2013

Story by Sgt. Eric Glassey 

ISAF Regional Command South

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan National Army Maj. Gen. Ismail, commanding general, ANA Engineer Corps 1, praised 205th Corps engineers for the construction of a literacy center at Camp Hero, Kandahar, Afghanistan, Aug. 24.

“Afghan National Army engineers built this school with their hard work; it is like they built their own house,” Ismail said. “This building will get our soldiers educated. I promise that we will educate our people. This school will prepare the 205th Corps for the future. Everyone will be proud of the ANA soldier.”

The literacy center will provide ANA soldiers the opportunity to learn how to read and write. It was built by the ANA engineers and International Security Assistance Forces engineers.

Afghanistan’s literacy rate is currently at 28.1 percent, according to the Central Intelligence Agency’s World Factbook. The online database was not the only source to indicate concerned about the lack of education in the country.

“The international community found that the ANA was mostly uneducated, so the international community funded this literacy program,” said Abul, director, ANA literacy program.

The literacy center is staffed by six civilian instructors who all play a role in educating the ANA soldier.

“The ANA soldier that is completely uneducated will be reading in 3 months,” Abul said. “This includes…writing.”

The majority of the construction was completed by the 205th Corps engineers, commanded by Capt. Farmanullah Safi, who thanked his ISAF partners.

“With the help and assistance of the ISAF advisers we’ve been able to read and write; this literacy program is very important,” Farmanullah said. “We can show all the Afghans, that the Afghan National Security Forces will be able to get educated.”

• Date Taken: 08.24.2013
• Date Posted: 08.27.2013 02:55
• Story ID: 112633
• Location: KANDAHAR, AF