I. Illiteracy in the Afghanistan National Security Forces

Since becoming involved in literacy training for the ANSF, the United Alliance Global Solutions education team has gathered and analyzed a myriad of data on literacy rates, academic achievement, effective training methods for adult learners, and effective approaches for literacy training to the members of the ANSF. While the sources mentioned above quote high levels of illiteracy for the country as a whole, our experience and data suggests an even higher rate of illiteracy existed within the ANSF. The men and women who enter the security forces, especially at the lower enlisted ranks, are mostly illiterate. Most are not able to read, write, or recognize their names in their native language. Interestingly, we have encountered adults who possessed conversational English skills, but could not demonstrate basic literacy in either Dari or Pashtu. We have found that while most (over 90%) of the soldiers and police entering the ANSF at the basic level are illiterate, they are very interested in learning, with thousands of soldiers and police completing the training since 2010, making for a more effective force than in past years. Our literacy training methodology has evolved over the years and, considering the variables mentioned above, we have a solid and effective method of assisting the ANSF to advance educationally.