Monday, February 17, 2003
UN launches first teachers training programme in Afghanistan
Press Trust of India New York, February 17
Afghan teachers, participating in the United Nations' first ever teachers training programme launched in the war ravaged country, will be educated not only in child development, but also in landmine awareness, a major problem in the country.
Launched by the UNICEF and Afghan authorities, the initiative aims to reach 70,000 educators.
"Emphasis is being placed on including women in the programme to help them catch up on the many years when they were denied the right to practice their profession in Afghanistan," UNICEF spokesman Edward Carwadine said. While drawing heavily from Afghan traditional literature and folklore and introducing new methods of teaching, the courses will also include information on Afghan languages, child development and landmine awareness. Landmines and unexploded ordnance cause up to 300 deaths or injuries every month in Afghanistan, with children among the majority of victims. More than three million children have returned to school in Afghanistan during the last one year after the fall of Taliban regime, 30 per cent of which were girls, UNICEF said.
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