‘I believe if we want to bring peace, education is a strong vehicle and a tremendous tool to initiate this. Why? Because it increases knowledge, develops skills and moral values. If we get this richness inside, this shouldn’t lead to violent behaviour because it brings an internal peace, and the internal peace leads to external peace in the society. So let us grow more seeds for education, wherever we can’.

Many people have a vision how to bring peace, but how many of us would follow this vision to Afghanistan? The interview that follows is with a lady who worked in Afghanistan for a year. It is almost exactly what she wrote:

Can you say a little about your background?

My name is Safida Begum. I come from the Northern Areas of Pakistan – Gulmit, Gojal in Hunza. I studied till grade 10 and moved to Karachi for further studies. After BA (bachelor in science) in 1987, I joined my school as a head mistress / head teacher (HT). I was the first HT within the Aga Khan Education (AKES) system among more than 50 male HTs. It was an interesting experience, where some of the colleagues were very good to me and were supportive while others tried to ignore me, as I was not considered important. However, the management was supportive so that was a huge encouragement for me to struggle for myself and for others’ future.

I kept on working but I did not enjoy it because I did not have proper management, academic and social skills and experience when dealing with students, parents and communities. I used to try to get ideas and support from men because many of them were educated and were working in different organisations. However, everyone was not so keen for women’s participation, so people among them used to disappoint me but I appreciate those who were so much supportive to me.

Luckily, Jonathan Mitchell as general manager joined AKES in 1990s, and initiated an improvement plan for local capacity development though the English Language Training Programs and then sent a group of potential candidates to the British Council Lahore for further training. The trainers John Trood and Mrs Trood from UK, played a key role throughout the process and further identified three (02 men and myself as a woman) as Master Trainers (MTs) to work with VSOs.

When we returned back from Lahore 6 VSOs (Volunteer Oversees Services) from UK also joined AKES as trainers. So we three local MTs worked with them to bridge between the foreigners and the locals to enhance the capacity of local teachers and develop our own language and methodological skills though the Language Enhancement and Achievement Program (LEAP).
However, then I got a scholarship for an M.Ed program at the Aga Khan University – Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED), Karachi. The medium of instruction at this institute was English as it is affiliated with the University of OISE Toronto, Canada and Harvard University. Yet, it was a smooth transition for me to cope with the program because of the language development.

This program changed my whole perspective, thinking and reflective skills. I understood myself and my professional needs, and professional needs of the local teachers, HTs, and the whole education system. Moreover, it broadened my perspective and I looked at education as a holistic approach, rather than teaching subjects and passing examination through rote learning.

We as a group of AKU-IED graduates returned back to our area and served at the Aga Khan University - Professional Development Center North (AKU- PDCN). So I served for 8 years, which provided me the opportunity to share my learning with different stakeholders e.g. teachers, HTs, Education Officers / supervisors from AKES, Government and Private sectors through different programs such as Whole School Improvement Program (WSIP), Educational Leadership and Management Program, Mentoring and other needs based programs.

The head of the AKU-PDCN’s practical support and mentoring boosted us up to a different level. Similarly, the academic, physical, moral and emotional support from AKU-IED enabled us to cope with the local needs and gender issues. I enjoyed my work and became a change agent for the area, where I helped to make differences in lives, and the above mentioned people made differences in my life and colleagues. So I gradually developed more confidence, motivation and curiosity for learning and sharing. Therefore, I got international exposures such as International Research Scholar at the University of Kansas USA and recently, went through a three weeks successful training on ‘Peace Building’ from American University Washington D.C.

In a similar way, many of my colleagues from Northern Areas (NAs) went through the LEAP program to enhance their English language skills and opted for M.Ed program at AKU-IED, successfully completed and now serving at leadership roles. Moreover, few of them completed / completing their Ph.D degrees.

The purpose of explaining all this is to demonstrate how change can be initiated and sustained through capacity development of local people. Moreover, I would like to acknowledge the contribution of the people in their leadership roles in our area, their strategic thinking, positive direction and vision and contextualised actions generated stimulation for learning. Thus, leadership makes a big difference, particularly, if the leaders have good professional understanding and professional approach to change.

What were your motivations in going to Afghanistan?

It was a stimulation and motivation to serve the poor communities and sow some seeds of motivation to lead to education.

Where were you based?

I was working in Badakhshan province and was based in Sheghnan, a place that remains closed for 9 months that shrinks life pattern but the border crossing points from Tajikistan side, enables to bring a momentum in life to survive within the traditional system.

Can you briefly explain what you were doing?

I was working as a Professional Development Advisor (PDA) for Badakhshan (BDK). We were three PDAs based in three provinces (Bamyan, Baghlan and Badakhshan). We concentrated on local capacity development. We were working in 62 government schools (that increased to 82 in 2008) in BDK, partnership schools with communities, district education, provincial and ministry of education and the Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs) for in service teachers. We had 62 teacher trainers in all three provinces, where we were training them and they were giving training in schools and communities. The Local Training Head closely worked with the PDAs for the Leadership and Management Training in five districts of BDK to train the school HTs.

It is a huge province with lack of infrastructure and facilities so the process of change can be very slow. But my experience with working with these stakeholders was a significant part of a positive change of their thinking. I got a lot of appreciation from the trainees for developing their capacity. At the end of every training, the participants demanded more support and professional help. This indicates that people do want to improve their education and their environment but they need skilful people to understand their particular needs and deal according to their level of understanding. I think it is important because they seemed to be taking change as a change of religion and culture because they are innocent people and they are misguided for various interests and conflicts. Therefore, they need mentoring in a positive direction to support them to enhance their knowledge, increase their skills and improve their attitudes for a positive change in their communities and societies.

However, my experience also showed that the local leaders need to access the training centers so they could establish that nothing is against their religion or culture. Once they are satisfied with the trainers’ approach, they (local leaders) become the change agents within the communities because it enables them to link with their cultural values and talk positively about the initiatives.

Did you meet the Taliban!?

I do not know whether I did or not - I might have met them because I was working with many Mullahs. Initially, they had a different attitude when talking to me but when I worked with them, linked educational theories with their practical lives, and Quranic and Islamic values, they were more interested. Similarly, I am a friendly person, when I dealt with them friendly and politely, they behaved in the same way. So believe me, my heart beats for their positive remarks and their caring attitudes. I got a lot of respect during the training programs. My impression was that the Mullahs are not bad, rather they are shown bad.

How did you find being a single woman in Afghanistan, and particularly being a woman in a senior position?

Initially, it was quite difficult because the people and the staff would treat me as a woman, with whom they could never disagree or speak with, and they would keep me isolated. But I was a professional woman so I had to talk, agree or disagree in a friendly manner. When I talked some would listen to see what I say and whether it makes sense for them or not, while others would always just disagree for the sake of disagreement because I was a woman. It was quite disappointing situation but gradually, I understood the culture, the tradition and the people, who are positive and negative. So gradually I developed relationships with people around me, who were everything for me in that isolated place. I talked, shared jokes, listen to their stories and experiences and shared my experiences so that helped me to cool down and focus on my tasks. However, the Regional Education Officer (promoted to training head) became my mentor, brother, friend, colleague, and learner. I learned many things from him and he learned from me. We were good sister and brother. I realised a local person’s support enables you to feel at home but you need to develop that trust relationship within the person and within the community through your honesty and hard work. They are needy people and you are taken as a leader so you need to prove your ability to help them and satisfy them with your work. If you are able to do that then, they become your protectors and well wishers.

Did you feel afraid at any point?

I was afraid at the beginning because I had a different image of Afghanistan. I was scared of going to the traditional toilets as it was outside of the guest house but gradually, I realised that it was a peaceful area so I was not scared but I made arrangement to stay as a paying guest with a family so felt more protected.

Once I travelled alone with the local people in a local transport from Sheghnan to Faizabad. Though I was scared inside but showed a lot of confidence. However, the people were so good to me that I cannot express the feeling. I remember, once the older person gave me his ‘shall’ when he felt that I was cold. He also set in front of the seat to protect me. Similarly, when we were crossing the pastures in the mountainous region at Shiva, the local people stopped our van, requesting to take one of the injured people (who fought and got injured) to Faizabad but these people refused saying that they have a woman guest so they cannot take him.

Have you got any encouraging stories about the role of women in Afghanistan life?

Women are protected very well according to the culture and traditions. The local men in leadership positions, who were liberal, were trying to encourage women to participate at the Mothers Literacy Centers and educate their children. They were giving my example that she has left her children at home and have come to serve us to you should take it as an excellent opportunity and benefit from her experiences. One of the Commanders in a district motivated the HTs in the leadership training to allow their women to attend the Mothers Literacy Centers and the conference on Primary Education. He also suggested that they should play a key role in enhancing girls education by motivating and educating their communities.

How does the education system in Afghanistan compare to Pakistan? Are they facing similar problems?

It is difficult to compare two countries. Pakistan has come a long way and has developed mechanism and infrastructure for students to get education from Nursery to higher education so students have choices for their careers. However, Afghanistan remaining under war for 30 years, has lost everything. So there are gaps at every stage of human life from intellectual capital to social, emotional and moral so it will take time to establish an infrastructure and a support mechanism for students. But the international organisations have been playing a key role to fill some of the gaps in supporting the Government of Afghanistan. It was wonderful to notice a comprehensive National Curriculum for schools and the Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs) was developed by international consultants according to the current needs of the global village. It is a huge contribution for the country if it is implemented in the same way. I think that Pakistan does not have that kind of comprehensive national curriculum.

Do you feel optimistic about Afghanistan’s future or not?

I am optimistic about the change could happen in Afghanistan but it will take a lot of time because people of Afghanistan are very much scattered from each other socially and emotionally. They are lacking connectivity and harmony among themselves. So instead of thinking about their country, they go for ethnicity that creates conflict among them that hinders their progress.

Is there anything else you would like to tell people in the UK about your experiences in Afghanistan?

First of all I would like to thank people from UK and USA, who made differences in my life, my people and my area. Then I would like to request people to think broadly and act locally. It means, whoever, goes to these kinds of conflict zones, it is essential to understand the culture, the tradition and work with communities to give them ownership. Facilitate them to enhance their capacity and work with them as a critical friend. It helps to be part of the culture and the critical view helps to understand the needs and work skilfully to satisfy the communities as clients. Once it is done, there is no way that those innocent people will forget you. It means you are in their hearts and minds all the time to follow your partway. So if someone gets that, for me, that is a great achievement and satisfaction in life.