A delegation from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Education visited Tollcross Primary School in Edinburgh last week to observe how Scottish schools combine English and Gaelic teaching in a bid to revive the teaching of their own native languages.
Afghanistan has two official languages, Dari and Pashto, but the government wants to support the 30 other languages used in tribal areas – 20 of which do not have a written alphabet.
Ahmad Zia Zaher, Deputy Director British Council Afghanistan said: 'The Afghanistan people are entitled to be educated in their own mother tongue, so seeing how Gaelic is taught in Scotland is a good model. It’s impressive.'
The delegates’ itinerary also included visits to Holyrood, the Scottish Education Inspectorate and a trip to B & Q.
Roy Cross, Director British Council Scotland said, 'We were delighted to bring the Afghanistan delegation to Scotland to learn more about Scotland’s education system. We hope that the mission develops lasting links between Scotland and Afghanistan and a deeper cultural understanding on both sides.'
Afghanistan will also be under the spotlight in February as the first ever Afghan film and cultural festival reaches the UK and debuts at the Edinburgh Filmhouse.
The film festival will take place between 21 February – 8 March 2008 and will be a celebration of Afghan culture. The Filmhouse will host 12 film screenings, talks and master classes by filmmakers, as well as musical events and exhibitions by local and international artists.
Highlights will include award-winning film-maker Siddiq Barmak travelling from Kabul to present his Golden Globe winning film Osama, award winning film-maker and author Atiq Rahimi will present his film Earth and Ashes, cult director Richard Stanley will present his early film Voice of the Moon, capturing Afghanistan in the late 1980’s.
Also in attendance will be Award-winning Director Phil Grabsky. He will present his moving documentary The Boy who Plays on the Buddhas of Bamiyan, detailing some of the lives of the 250 refugee families living in the caves surrounding the Taliban-destroyed buddhas.
For further information please contact the British Council Scotland press office on +44(0)131 524 5739 or +44 7887 833 941. E-mail andrew.borthwick@britishcouncil.org.
| 
