FAQs
How did we set up our schools?
We hired a superintendent based in Kandahar. This superintendent recruited 5 principals. Each principal then recruited 12 teachers. Each teacher then enrolled 8 students--4 per class. We have also hired staff in Kandahar that distribute teaching materials and perform administrative tasks. As we continue to grow, we hope to hire more principals and teachers to enroll more students, and expand to other regions as well.
2. How long is a semester?
Given logistics, each semester has progressively gotten longer.
Semester 1. We ran two programs:
(1) Foundations in literacy and arithmetic (11/07/2020-02/20/2021) We had 55 teachers and 292 students (ages 3-11)
(2) Foundations in computer literacy (01/02/2021-03/31/2021)
We had 2 teachers and 15 students (ages 13-28)
Semester 2. We focused on two programs:
(1) Foundations in literacy and arithmetic (03/22/2021-09/06/2021--teachers paid to 09/27/2021, when the semester was originally supposed to run until)
We had 58 teachers and 416 students (ages 3-11)
(2) Opening the Fardah Roshan Academy Library (04/26/2021, all age ranges welcome)
2138 books, 72 titles, 1 librarian
Semester 3. We are focused on three programs:
1) Foundations in literacy and arithmetic (02/05/2022-07/07/2022)
We have 60 teachers and 480 students (ages 3-11)
(2) Foundations in computer literacy (02/15/2022-07/05/2022)
(3) Opening a second Fardah Roshan Academy Library (04/07/2022, all age ranges welcome)
Summer Session:
1) Foundations in Computer Literacy (07/16/2022-09/01/2022)
We will be training 66 teachers across four classes, 41 of whom are Fardah Roshan Academy teachers and principals and the rest of whom are female teachers from partnering schools. During this course, students will learn to type, make an email account, and the basics of PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and Google Drive!
2) Opening a third Fardah Roshan Academy Library (07/04/2022, all age ranges welcome)
Come Fall 2022, Fardah Roshan Academy will switch to a regular trimester academic school year.
3. How long is each class? How often do classes meet?
Classes are 1 hour a day, 6 days per week. Teachers can teach up to two classes per day.
4. What languages do you teach? What ethnic groups do you serve?
We teach in Pashto, Dari, and English (the language taught in a given class depends on the languages spoken by the teacher and students, many of whom are bilingual in Dari and Pashto). We hire teachers/staff and enroll students of all backgrounds.
5. Are the classes only for girls?
Our teachers are only women, but we enroll both boys and girls in our classes.
6. What percentage of the donations goes directly to teachers?
100% of the donations we receive go to our personnel in Afghanistan--our superintendent, principals, teachers, staff, and to buy materials for our students. All the work done outside of Afghanistan is volunteer-based.
7. How do you pay the teachers? What about sanctions?
We send money through Western Union and MoneyGram. Our activities are permitted under U.S. General License 19.