Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Afghanistan
HERAT PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, working with coalition Special Operations Forces, recently reintroduced a radio literacy program throughout Afghanistan.
Radio broadcasts have been the primary source of news, current events and entertainment, and provide opportunities for citizens to communicate with local law enforcement. GIRoA is also offering basic-level education over the airwaves.
As illiteracy is common throughout Afghanistan, citizens of all ages and genders are participating in the program. Villagers in provinces throughout the country are tuning in their radios during scheduled evenings to follow the program.
Over the past four months, more than 28,000 companion workbooks have been distributed throughout the country, which is a 350 percent increase compared to the same time last year. More books are being produced in Afghanistan, Qatar and the U.S. to meet the ever growing demand.
“Some villages focus more on children, due to the lack of regular schools,” said a coalition SOF team member. “However, adults are also encouraged to participate, and do, in most villages.”
For some villages, ALP are the main facilitators for the program, by not only distributing the workbooks, but also tutoring participants and mentoring the success of the program in their area.
In the Sanowghan village, Shindand province, the ALP commander recently addressed education to the public during a call-in show.
“Education is important in [the Zerekoh valley],” he said. “Anyone that wants to participate in the program should stop by [an ALP checkpoint] and we will collect the names, so we can obtain more RLP books for them.”
The next day, 40 workbooks were immediately distributed and the ALP were requesting more books to satisfy villagers’ increasing desire to participate.
Meanwhile, in Badghis province, Aq Murad, the Bala Morghab Minister of Education, distributed at least 50 workbooks to villagers and a women’s literacy group.
“By doing this, the ALP and ministers of education show citizens the Afghan government’s concern for improving Afghan lives,” said the coalition SOF team member.
As more citizens listen to the radio, they will become generally more informed, the coalition SOF team member added. They will connect more with their district and provincial government and be able to communicate with the ALP and GIRoA through call-in shows.
Coalition SOF studies show increased participation in the literacy program throughout the country. More citizens are calling in to their local radio stations to discuss current conditions of the village as a result of the RLP’s success.
“Through RLP, communication and knowledge will increase between GIRoA and the people of Afghanistan,” said the coalition SOF team member.
“The positive ALP news stories and the commanders talking on the radio make the locals more comfortable with the ALP,” said the Sanowghan ALP commander.
The Sanowghan ALP commander also said communication between the Afghan citizens and their government is cultivated by education and their ability to access it through the same medium: by listening to the radio.
“All of the children are very excited about RLP and it will greatly help their future,” said the Sanowghan ALP commander. “The students think education is important and are committed to finishing the program.
The program teaches basic literacy, but is also intended to instill the desire for further education and its pursuit, through GIRoA.
“Without exception, villagers throughout the [country support] the program,” said the SOF team member. “They have said that the programs are easy to follow and all participants intend to stick with it.”
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