School supplies given to Helmand Districts

AFGHANISTAN

09.30.2010

Story by Cpl. Megan Sindelar 

Regional Command Southwest

LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan – As the school year begins in Afghanistan, students across Helmand province will get a head start with each one receiving new textbooks and a backpack full of school supplies.

There are over 31,000 students in Helmand province and each student attending school will be supplied with a textbook and a backpack containing two pencils, pens and notebooks.

“I believe that parents in particular will be greatly pleased,” said Brett Rapley, Education Advisor with Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team. “For families who live in rural areas, stationary can be difficult items to find within the local bazaar.”

Rapley said that for some low-income families, receiving stationary for their children may make the difference in deciding whether they will send their children to school or not.

Not only are the students receiving supplies, Helmand province has over 800 teachers who will also be receiving relief. The teachers will be given chalk, pens, pencils and paper.

“Teaching items are in short supply in many bazaars and the ongoing costs of maintaining teaching supplies is beyond what most teachers can afford on their salaries,” Rapley said.

Capt. Amanda Freeman, education officer with the Provincial Reconstruction Team, said the provincial education department’s efforts have been to provide textbooks to students in the first few weeks of school, something that has never happened within Helmand province.

As the textbooks and backpacks are trickling in, some districts have already received their items while others will be delivered in the near future.

Freeman said each district is going to receive a certain amount of items determined by the amount of students registered for class.

“This is for many parents who wish to see their children receive a formal education, the student supplies will be seen as a welcome relief on their own expenses and a great incentive to keep their children at school,” Rapley said.

• Date Taken: 09.30.2010
• Date Posted: 09.30.2010 13:13
• Story ID: 57250
• Location: AF