UNICEF and IKEA help make schools more interesting for children in Tajikistan
KHATLON DISTRICT, Tajikistan – 3 September 2009 Going through new books on the shelves in her school library, 11-year-old Bahtinisso cannot hide a happy smile. She becomes even happier as she sees several DVD cartoons on a new television set. “This is the first time pupils see new books in this school, let alone movies and cartoons,” says Sadriddin Akhmedov, the headmaster of this school in rural Vakhsh District in southern Tajikistan. “The last time we received a new book was probably 20 years ago”. After showing the recently furnished library, Sadriddin proudly opens a door to a large class also equipped with new furniture and learning aids. “This class has a new heating device, and children will stay warm here in winter,” he says. IKEA Social Initiative funding Vakhsh District School No. 20 is one of 15 schools throughout the country benefiting from initiatives supported by UNICEF to make them more child-friendly. These initiatives aiming to create school environments mostly conducive to learning received funding from the IKEA Social Initiative, UNICEF’s single largest corporate donor. With support from UNICEF and the IKEA Social Initiative, the 15 schools have benefited from new furniture, sports equipment, quality games and resource books. In addition, many teachers in these schools have been trained in interactive teaching methods suited to each child’s age, abilities and style of learning. Water points and latrines The School No. 20 has also benefited from a new water point and latrines. Because the school now has water, children can wash their hands before eating and using the latrines. Education on hygiene has become an important part of extracurricular activities in the school. “We always tell our classmates and friends that they need to wash their hands and drink only safe water in order to stay healthy,” says Bahtinisso who joined the school hygiene education group last year. “We also tell these things to our parents and neighbours”. Teachers in the school mention that by actively engaging in hygiene education, many students have become more independent in their views and better in performance at school.
Keeping girls in schools These improvements are all part of an effort to make education more enjoyable and to keep Tajikistan’s students – particularly girls – in school. It is an effort designed to tackle the increasingly serious problem of girls dropping out of schools in Tajikistan. Sadriddin Akhmedov says the new water point and gender-specific latrines can help convince parents to send their daughters to school. “One of the key reasons why girls in rural areas do not attend school is because there are no sanitation facilities,” says the headmaster. “Now that we have separate latrines for girls, I am sure that the school attendance rate among girls will increase”. Innovative teaching methods and extracurricular activities also motivate girls to attend school. Fifteen-year-old Tursunoy Abdulloeva says she enjoyed a summer camp organized in the school in July thanks to UNICEF and IKEA’s support. “I was very happy to attend the summer camp and participate in debates, play games, and spend time with my friends here,” she says. The school is becoming a more interesting place to be in,” says Tursunoy. “Sometimes I simply don’t want to leave school after my classes”.
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