BOSCO, UNHCR'S initiative helping Afghan students in education

New Delhi [India], Oct.25 (ANI): Education has been a major area of concern in war-torn Afghanistan. Such is the state of education in the country that tens of thousands of youths have to move out to other countries, including India, to pursue higher studies.

Once out, they face other challenges such as a language barrier and not having a general level of education. To help such students living in Delhi, the BOSCO Organization for Social Concern and Operation is running English and Hindi classes at four training centers.

The joint initiative of BOSCO and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been helping Afghan children since 2002.

Language is a big barrier for most refugees as they do not speak Hindi or English, these courses are very helpful for most of the students who want to continue their education in India.

"We teach English classes from the basics, the pre-beginner classes for those people who don't even know a-b-c-d, so I take the beginner class. The beginner students they know little bit of English but they have problem with vocabulary, grammar and speaking" informed Hasib who is a teacher at Don Bosco School.

Habib, who came to India in 2014, teaches English, sketching and music at the Bhogal center. He believes that this initiative is an opportunity for those who have not been able to complete their studies. Talking about conditions back home, Habib said people live under threat of life all the time

"The people are being disturbed that they are so afraid to even come out because of this bomb blasting and explosions. You can't count even for a few second, anything can happen there and that is the main problem", said Rehmatulla Habib, who is also a teacher at the Don Bosco School.

Sharara Nadir, a student, feels that educational facilities are better in India than Afghanistan. Ahmad Iliaz another student has learnt both English and Hindi and now focusing on mathematics.

Bosco has gone a long way in shaping the future of these Afghan refugees.