Troops, Afghans Gather for School Opening

The Gardez Provincial Reconstruction Team and Coalition leaders join Afghan villagers, and the provincial governor, for a grand opening ceremony for the Sadet Khail School.

AHMAD ABA, Afghanistan, April 19, 2005 — A bright spring sun shone off the metal roof of the Sadet Khail School creating a brilliant light among a sea of sand and rocks.Eventually locals hope the school will become a beacon, drawing students from surrounding villages there to further their education.Several hundred people gathered at the school on April 16 for a grand opening ceremony, including the provincial governor, Coalition leaders and dozens of students.The new school replaces a cramped three-room building that was previously used as a school to teach grades one through six. It is more than twice as big as the old school and will teach grades one through nine - about 550 students in all - said Ahmad Gul Ahmadi, the new school’s headmaster.