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Gulalai Bahrami, principal of The Hope School traveled to Washington DC in February to spend a week learning about education in America at Sidwell Friends School. She observed classrooms, visited with teachers, and found a lot of new ideas to take back to Kabul.
"My week at Sidwell Friends and the Washington International School was inspiring, enriching and challenging. It was inspiring to see that our methods in many subjects are very similar, enriching to find new ways to get students excited about learning, but also challenging to realize how limited our resources at The Hope School are by comparison," Gulalai explains.
She spent the first day in the Sidwell Lower School, observing math, science and computer classes in grades 1 to 4. The next day was a visit to the Middle School to see social studies, math and Spanish. On Day 3, it was biology, chemistry and ethics in the Upper School. The Hope School is one of the few in Kabul to offer science, math and computers at the primary level, so Gulalai was especially interested in the Sidwell curriculum in those areas.
She went on to the Washington International School, where students learn a second language beginning in the youngest grades and study a unique cross-disciplinary curriculum. She found this different learning model very interesting.
"We were thrilled to have Gulalai visit with our students, teachers and staff", said Lucia Pierce, Sidwell's Director of International Programs. "Meeting a peer professional who is working successfully in as difficult and demanding an environment as Kabul leaves us in awe.” Her educational philosophy and values were very consistent with our own. We felt that she was a peer in pedagogy."
Sidwell will host three Hope School teachers in early 2007 for a week of professional development. There are also plans to establish email pen pals between upper level students at The Hope School and Sidwell Friends and develop other interactive programs in the future.
Hope School Students Win Kabul Math Contest
Three of the top ten places in a Kabul's recent citywide math contest went to Hope School students. This showing was especially impressive, since the students entered the contest just a week before it took place, and had little time to prepare as fully as others.
One of the city newspapers and a local TV news crew covered the story. Several important government officials also sent congratulations to the teacher and the winning students.
Looking Ahead
This year, The Hope School has nearly 800 students in grades 1 through 8. Temporary classrooms have been added by using newly-acquired cargo containers and a tent. Parents are beginning to be involved as well. "Some are donating furniture and supplies; others are helping with repairs. The parents really care about the school and want a good education for their children," Gulalai points out.
Plans are underway to improve and expand The Hope School, a dream long delayed by a just-resolved question about site ownership. The dispute has been settled and The Hope School holds title to the land it now occupies.