This week’s primary school assembly and classroom discussion focuses on the launch of an educational TV programme in Afghanistan and explores the importance and diversity of education around the world. What’s in the News: Dars – A New Educational TV Show in Afghanistan The BBC has launched an educational television programme called Dars for young people in Afghanistan. This new show is designed for children aged 11 to 16 who have been prevented from attending school, especially girls, following new rules introduced by the Taliban in 2021. Since then, girls over the age of 11 can no longer go to school in Afghanistan. Dars, which means ‘lesson’ in the official languages of Afghanistan, is broadcast weekly and aims to support children’s learning despite the challenges they face. Episodes are 30 minutes long and are shown four times a day across TV, radio, and Facebook. The programme features core subjects such as maths, history, science, and information technology, drawing on the BBC’s educational resources. To create a familiar and welcoming environment, the set includes elements like a chessboard, recognizing the local popularity of chess. The Impact and Voices Behind Dars Aalia Farzan, one of the show’s presenters, reflected on the programme saying, "If I was a teenage girl who cannot go to school, I would be very happy if someone helped me and taught me something." The team of presenters, including Sahar Rahimi, Shazia Haya, and Malaika Ahmadzai, are working to provide a lifeline for learners who otherwise have lost access to education. How Do We Feel About This? The story of Dars brings out a range of emotions. Some may feel saddened, frustrated, or angry that children’s access to school is restricted. Others may feel hopeful or cheered that solutions like educational programmes can help overcome such barriers. The topic encourages everyone to consider how vital education is and how many feelings and responses are tied to the right to learn. Different Ways to Learn People learn in various ways. Some students prefer to watch and listen to teachers and then have a go themselves, while others like to try first and ask questions if they get stuck. For example, Megan finds games helpful when learning times tables, Akshara benefits from repetition over several weeks, and George remembers facts by writing them down. Tamar learned about the rules by making a mistake and discussing it with her teacher. These examples illustrate the diversity in learning preferences and experiences. Methods and Preferences Learning can take place through listening, doing, repeating, reading, or even making mistakes and reflecting on them. Everyone has a unique learning journey, and understanding what methods work best individually can make learning more effective and enjoyable. Schools Around the World Education is experienced differently across the globe. For instance, Alyssa from Texas, USA, doesn't wear a uniform and travels by school bus. Her school day starts at 8:30 am and ends at 3:30 pm, with breaks throughout. Zhang from China starts school at 7 am in uniform, attends lessons like Mandarin and Maths, and finishes at 5 pm. Daniel from Kenya attends school in uniform from 7:30 am to 4 pm and learns multiple subjects, including Swahili and Agriculture. These snapshots highlight the variety in school experiences worldwide. Rules and Rights Every country has different laws and customs about education. In the UK, all children must receive education from age 5 to 18. In Afghanistan, however, current regulations mean that some children, particularly girls over 11, are banned from attending school. Globally, not every child has the opportunity to attend school due to factors like poverty, political instability, or discrimination. The right to an education is recognized internationally, and primary education should be free and accessible to all children. Reflection: The Privilege of Education Having access to school, books, and resources is a privilege that should not be taken for granted. While millions of children enjoy the benefits of education, many others face significant barriers. Discussions around these topics encourage students to appreciate their educational opportunities and think about how they learn best. Discussion Prompts for the Classroom How do you feel about the launch of the Dars TV programme in Afghanistan? Who benefits the most from it? What ways of learning work best for you? Do you prefer listening, doing, playing, or reading? Have you ever experienced learning outside of school, such as during the pandemic? How did you adapt? Compare your school experience with children from other countries. What is similar? What is different? What do you enjoy most about your school? Which lessons are your favourite and why? How would your life be different if you could not go to school? Follow-up Activities Ideas for KS1 (Younger Pupils) Make a list of all the subjects you learn at school and choose your favourite. Create a tally chart of class favourites and analyse the results. Think about a special skill or hobby you have. Share it with the class and learn about your classmates’ interests. Ideas for KS2 (Older Pupils) Write a letter to a student in another country describing your school day and ask about theirs. Interview an adult about their school experiences and compare it with your own. What has changed over time? Vocabulary to Explore Banned: Officially or legally prohibited. Launched: Started or set in motion. Privilege: A special right or advantage. Official: Approved by the government or authority. Reliant: Needing something or someone to function properly. Taken for granted: Failing to appreciate something’s value. 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