Afghan German Basic Education (AG BAS-Ed) and the Esmat School
Peshawar, Pakistan

About AG BAS-Ed
AG BAS-Ed is an Afghan non-governmental organization working in the field of education (formal & non-formal). AG BAS-Ed was established in June 1996 to revive and reinstate the education system of Afghanistan.

For more than 20 years, Afghans have been leaving their homes because of the threat of violence and settling along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.  Access to education is a big problem for the refugee population, especially for girls. In response to the educational needs of Afghan refugee girls, AG BAS-Ed, with the support of War Child Netherlands and War Child Canada, operates the Esmat School, a primary and secondary school for young Afghan girls living in Peshawar. 

No War Zone at the Esmat School
The Esmat School hopes to establish an appropriate learning environment for female students to learn about computer and information technology, while participating in the No War Zone global youth network. The computer lab at the Esmat School is open to both students and the community, and is the only Internet Café in Peshawar that is both free and wholly dedicated to Afghan girls. Girls also receive skills training, increasing the chance of employment after graduation. Students are engaged in building a culture of peace, and working together to begin to improve their situation.

Voices from the Esmat School
“I have noticed that No War Zone creates great awareness in student’s feelings as they read about the ideas of other people. No War Zone creates awareness in their thoughts and feelings about their own culture and country. They are inspired to handle their problems and improve their way of living and learning. They are improving their communication skills through dialogue with other youth. They enjoy working, reading and writing on the website and are growing with the knowledge that someone cares for their problems.”

Kobra Wardak, Teacher at the Esmat School