Afghan teachers are learning new classroom management techniques and innovative approaches to communicating with students through the USAID-funded Afghan Children Read (ACR) Program. USAID supports the implementation of so-called Teacher Learning Circles in Kabul, Herat, Nangarhar and, Laghman provinces to raise the level of classroom instruction and thereby help students learn.

The learning circles bring teachers together to discuss their issues in the classroom, what works and what doesn’t. USAID also supports coaching and mentors for the teachers as well as continuous assessments of their performance.

Manizha Khedri teaches third grade at Qala-e-Murad Primary School in Shakardara District of Kabul. She is a member of her school’s Teacher Learning Circle and says the regular interaction with other teachers and coaches has greatly improved her performance and is transforming her classroom and students. She notes that since she engaged with the learning circle, the school headmaster regular compliments her students for their improved academic performance.

“Before attending the (USAID/ACR) meetings, I had poor performance in class and did not enjoy my teaching at all,” Khedri said. “I could read the dissatisfaction in the faces of my students… This affected their learning.”

Khedri added, “The learning circles were magic. Teachers shared their successes and challenges. Listening to their stories helped me to identify my own problems.”

She said her own attitude toward teaching has changed. “The feedback I receive from my students’ parents is always positive and motivates me to work harder and set my goals higher,” she said.

The USAID ACR program has conducted a total of 1,241 learning circle meetings across the five provinces.