A vision begins to take shape
The Helping Hands Educational Center was founded in 2002. For several years we have been in the process of transforming the elementary school into a Montessori Learning Center. For several years we have been in the process of transforming the elementary school into a Montessori Learning Center. The adequate implementation was supported by qualified mentors on a regular basis during the lessons.
One problem was that the school was previously housed in a building that was far too small: two classrooms and a small teachers’ room – not really suitable for Montessori learning methods. In addition, classes had to be taught in two shifts: two classes in the morning, two in the afternoon.
Now we were finally able to move into a former restaurant, which is quite wonderful for our purposes. It has enough space: four classrooms, a room for the teachers and other smaller rooms for group work, plus a beautiful courtyard.
Thus, the next phase towards teaching “from the child” has started in the meantime. Montessori education is not about constant frontal teaching with memorization (as still common in Afghanistan), but about student-centered learning, self-directed activities, interactive learning, collaborative play.
Our 86 girls, 64 boys and five teachers are happy in the new building with its wonderful playground and are highly motivated.
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