Educational seminar in Paktiya Province rewards students

NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan
Story by Staff Sgt. Nicole Howell

Date: 04.19.2012
Posted: 04.21.2012 03:23
News ID: 87111

PAKTIYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan— In recognition of their academic performance during this school year, top students from 43 schools in the Jaji District received book bags and school supplies at an educational seminar held near Jaji District Center, April 15.

The intent of the education seminar was for students to understand how important their academic achievements are to their community.

Students from all levels of education were identified and rewarded by the district sub-governor, the minister of education, and teachers from the district.

“The children were extremely happy about being recognized,” said Azad Khan, the district sub-governor for Jaji district. “When you identify children when they make achievements, it makes them want to achieve more and reach for the next level in their education.”

Prior to the seminar, the minister of education held an educational shura with the principals and educators to discuss the future of their education system.

Coalition forces special operations soldiers helped organize the supply of bags; however, it was the Afghans in the community who took charge of the ceremony.

The Afghanistan National Army special forces, located in Jaji district, coordinated the pick up and drop off of the bags and provided security for the seminar. From there, the minister of education, along with the educators in the district, distributed the book bags to the deserving recipients.

“It was an excellent opportunity for the district representatives and the ANASF to take the lead and represent the district’s encouragement for educational opportunities and excellence in the area,” said a coalition forces special operations soldier.

Community engagements like this are becoming more common, especially with education. The children of Afghanistan are the future of their country and recognition opportunities in academic achievements are a key component for successful Afghan sovereignty, security and governance.

“Opportunities like the education seminar allows the children to see their government cares about their education, said Khan. “It helps to build trust from our youth up, and trust is what this government needs to survive.”