In 2008, in partnership with the Governments of Afghanistan and Canada, AKF started the Girls’ Education Support Programme (GESP) in several remote provinces of Afghanistan: Badakhshan, Bamyan, Baghlan and Parwan.
AKDN / Kapila Productions
In 2008, in partnership with the Governments of Afghanistan and Canada, AKF started the Girls’ Education Suppo...
AKDN / Kapila Productions
Recognising the importance of early childhood development (ECD), the Aga Khan Foundation has established a number of pre-schools and ECD centres in its programme areas which enable access to a supportive, stimulating environment for pre-school children.
AKDN / Kapila Productions
Recognising the importance of early childhood development (ECD), the Aga Khan Foundation has established a num...
AKDN / Kapila Productions
This page is also available inAfghanistan | Early Childhood Development
The early years from preconception to primary are increasingly recognised as the most critical period for developing and supporting lifelong outcomes.
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We operate 73 pre-primary units
Educating Children and Caregivers
Working with parents, educators and government agencies, AKDN aims to provide families the means by which they can improve the developmental and learning outcomes of their children during their formative years. It promotes the importance of early childhood development (ECD) through education on health and nutrition and access to health services and early learning programmes.
The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) introduced ECD and preschool models to the Ministry of Education and other key partners, including community-based preschools and libraries. In 2020, these programmes reached 19,500 children and their families. AKF also conducts parent education training sessions and organises reading days for parents, and in 2020 worked with 19,300 parents and caregivers on these two initiatives.
In 2021, AKF began working with communities to establish 33 community-based preschools and 33 community libraries. Nearly 1,500 children aged 4-6 (50 percent girls) and 3,960 parents will benefit from these preschool centres.
The Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS) will create reading and play corners in health facilities, and train and support health facility staff on the Care 4 Child Development (C4CD) programme to raise awareness and understanding of child development topics.
The Aga Khan Education Services (AKES) operates 73 pre-primary units, for 3-6 year olds. They offer a programme based on the internationally recognised HighScope preschool curriculum. Pre-primary teachers also provide support by phone to a small group of parents, in collaboration with the telecommunications provider Roshan. This began as a response to the COVID-19 closures, when AKES implemented a learning programme by phone. In this way AKES could continue to offer families learning and support for ECD, pre-primary and supplementary education programmes.
Policy Involvement
AKF has built a national technical working group for ECD, and has been supporting the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Public Health and UNICEF to design, implement and integrate early childhood education and development programmes, particularly in health. This involvement is currently on hold.