| Project Title | Education Cannot Wait (ECW) |
|---|---|
| Country | Afghanistan |
| Donor / Funding Agency | Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) |
| Implementing Partner | Shining Star Educational Organization of Afghanistan (SSEOA) |
| Duration | 1 August 2024 – 15 January 2025 |
| Total Project Cost | |
| Geographical Coverage | Badakhshan and Takhar provinces, Afghanistan |
| Primary Beneficiaries | 2,700 students (1,893 girls; 807 boys) enrolled in Community-Based Education (CBE) and Accelerated Learning Programme (ALP) classes |
| Secondary Beneficiaries | Parents, caregivers, and 193 Shura members engaged through training and community mobilization |
| Teachers and Staff | 100 teachers trained through 14-day core training, mentorship, and TLC sessions |
| Thematic Focus | Education in emergencies, gender-responsive teaching, disability inclusion, accelerated learning |
| Strategic Alignment: | Supports ECW’s global priorities, Afghanistan’s EiE strategies, and Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education), with a special focus on inclusivity and resilience in crisis contexts |
The ECW Multi-Year Resilience Programme (MYRP), implemented in collaboration with AKDN, has provided critical education access to 2,700 crisis-affected children across Badakhshan and Takhar, with girls constituting over 70% of enrollment. The project successfully established 100 learning centers (78 CBE, 22 ALP), trained 100 teachers, and empowered 193 Shura members to manage education locally. Notably, 248 children with disabilities were identified and integrated into classrooms through targeted assessments and tailored support. A total of 68,550 learning kits were distributed, ensuring students and teachers were fully equipped. Despite cultural resistance, difficult terrain, and resource limitations, the program achieved significant progress in promoting girls’ education and fostering community ownership. By embedding inclusive approaches, strengthening teacher capacity, and leveraging real-time data tools like Kobo, the initiative has laid strong foundations for resilience and long-term learning continuity in fragile contexts.
